Islamabad, September 29, 2021 (PPI-OT):The PAF Air War College Institute Bill 2021 was passed unanimously today in a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education Professional Training, National Heritage and Culture. The meeting was held at Parliament House.
Chaired by Senator Irfan-ul-Haq Siddiqui, the meeting was attended by Senator Rukhsana Zuberi, Senator Dr. Mehr Taj Roghani, Senator Falak Naz, Senator Fawzia Arshad, Senator Jam Mehtab Hussain Dahar, Senator Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhary, Senator Dr. Sikander Mandhro and senior officers of the Ministry of Federal Education Professional Training, National Heritage and Culture, Higher Education Commission (HEC), along with all concerned.
Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training, National Heritage and Culture, Ms. Wajiha Akram was present as well. As per directions of Honourable Chairman Senate the Committee was required to consider and vote on the Bill within the period of one day.
The prime reason to put forward the said Bill was the interminable need of an apex institution to impart higher education in the field of Defence and Security Studies with special emphasis on air power employment in joint military environment.
However, in the current situation it is expedient to establish a premier degree awarding institution of learning to disseminate knowledge related to National and Global security challenges, Natural and Applied Sciences, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Science and Technology, International Relations, History, Artificial Intelligence, Management, Operational Research, Air Power, War Studies, Sports Sciences and other relevant areas of study.
The Committee reviewed the Bill in-depthly. Most members were of the view that this was an apt opportunity to ensure that the common citizen of Pakistan is given access to quality education which is the need of the hour.
In addition, it was asserted, that the environment would play an important role in expanding horizons, imperative for the holistic development of students. The Committee agreed that paths must be paved to ensure student access from remote areas to the College and that a talent hunt must be conducted in this regard.
Chairman Committee, Senator Irfan-ul-Haq Siddiqui maintained that since the Bill was passed by the National Assembly, which is a reverend forum, amendments to the Bill were not required. He was of the view that this Institution with its diversified range of subjects would play an important role in opening doors to students for a better future.
Deliberating over the plight of medical students and the MDCAT issue, the Committee was of the view that the Committee must review the issue and write a letter to the Standing Committee on Health, Regulation and Coordination to take up the matter rigorously. Keeping in view the urgency of the matter, the Committee constituted an informal body to examine the matter in detail and report to the Committee in the next meeting.
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