Sindh Assembly Passes Controversial Bill Allowing Bureaucrats to Head Education Boards

KARACHI – May 2025: The Sindh Assembly has adopted the Sindh Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (Amendment) Bill 2025—a move that grants the provincial government sweeping powers to appoint senior bureaucrats as chairpersons of education boards across the province.

🏛️ Controversial Bill Passed Amid Opposition Silence

Despite the bill’s controversial nature, the government passed it with a majority vote, brushing aside objections from Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) MPA Muhammad Farooq, the only lawmaker who tried to raise concerns. His attempt to present an amendment was overruled by the assembly chair, who stated that the standing committee had already rejected it after deliberation.

📜 Key Changes Introduced by the Bill:

  • The chief minister or a nominee can now appoint education board chairmen.
  • Eligible appointees include BPS-19 or BPS-20 cadre officers, either by direct recruitment or transfer.
  • New appointment rules also apply to examination directors, secretaries, and steering committee members.

⚠️ Concerns Over Politicization

Critics fear this law may lead to political interference and further ad hocism in Sindh’s already fragile education system. The bill follows a period of controversy where high-performing candidates declined chairmanships at Karachi and Hyderabad boards, leaving them under temporary leadership.

🚱 Water Crisis Dominates Assembly Debate

Alongside the education bill, the house saw heated exchanges over Karachi’s ongoing water crisis.

📌 Call Attention Notices:

  • MQM-P’s Shariq Jamal (Malir) accused a PPP lawmaker of diverting water away from his constituency.
  • Aamir Siddiqui (Jamshed Quarters) and Wajid Hussain (Landhi, PS-92) blamed K-Electric and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation for illegal diversions and worsening shortages.
  • Lawmakers also alleged collusion between water board officials and police in selling illegal connections.

📣 Parliamentary Secretary Qasim Soomro admitted to water shortages and urged members to report names involved in illegal activities for prompt action.

⚡ Electric Vehicles and Sino-Pak MoUs

Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, returning from China, announced major developments:

  • Sindh to build EV charging stations every 50 km across the province.
  • A Chinese EV giant plans to set up a manufacturing plant in Karachi, offering electric vehicles at 75% lower prices than current market rates.

📌 Summary

With a new law reshaping education leadership and ongoing challenges like the water crisis and transport reform, the Sindh Assembly continues to make high-impact decisions amid rising public scrutiny.

Share:

More Posts