Senate Defence Committee approves National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Bill
Islamabad, Pakistan: The Senate Standing Committee on Defence met on Monday to discuss the NUMS (National University of Medical Sciences) Bill 2015.
The meeting was chaired by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and was attended by Senator Farhat ullah Babar, Senator Lt. Gen( R) Abdul Qayyum, Senator Lt. Gen. (R) Salahuddin Trimzi, Senator Atta ur Rehaman and Senator Brig (R) John Kenneth Williams.
The main agenda of the meeting was to address the numerous objections Senator Farhatullah Babar had made regarding the bill in the previous meeting.
After Brig. Aamar’s Assistant Commandant of the AFIP presentation, Senator Babar expressed his satisfaction with the majority of arguments made, but insisted that the NUMS Bill 2015 did not restrict itself under the PMDC which exhibits its role as a watchdog over the academic functioning of all medical institutions in the country, said a press release here.
Senator Babar said there is no external watchdog for NUMS and raised concern over the fact that the proposed university would be governing itself.
Senator Gen. Qayyum, Senator Gen. Tirmzi and Senator Brig John Kenneth Williams said this was a vital institution and its establishment should not be withheld any longer. Subsequently, the committee cleared the bill.
Senator Mushahid appreciated Senator Babar for due diligence and positive role taken by the parliament and the Senate Standing Committee on Defense in this regard, especially its role of oversight, transparency and promoting professionalism. He also thanked all the other members for providing an issue oriented approach to make NUSM an institution of academic excellence.
Senator Mushahid also directed that a parliamentarian be on the Board of Governors of NUSM, and it’s statutes include the Committee recommendations.
It may be mentioned that Bill will not move to the floor of the house for approval.
