ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary body on Wednesday refused to approve a bill seeking separate quota for religious minorities in university admissions, according to a local media outlet.
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Federal Education refused to approve the bill titled ‘The Minorities Access to Higher Education Bill’ which was moved by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl MNA Asiya Nasir.
Asiya Nasir had sought a five per cent admission quota for religious minorities in all public and private higher education institutions and had stated in the bill that the proposed law was in line with national and international commitments.
She said that the bill was drafted keeping articles 36 and 37 of the Constitution in view, which are about safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of religious minorities and promotion of social justice.
However, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) representatives, who were present there opposed the bill, which they said was contrary to the spirit of merit and HEC’s Model University Ordinance no. CXX of 2002, which reads: “University shall be open to all persons of either gender and of whatever religion, race, creed, class, colour or domicile and no person shall be denied the privileges of the university on the grounds of religion, race, caste, creed, class, colour or domicile.”
