LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly session on Tuesday witnessed heated discussions on education, deteriorating condition of universities and colleges, and various public issues. However, the proceedings were overshadowed by strong criticism from Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan over the absence of various ministers and parliamentary secretaries from the house.
The session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar, began with opposition member Sardar Muhammad Ali raising concerns about the lack of a university in his constituency.
Responding to questions related to the Higher Education Department, Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat stated that the government was taking measures to expand educational facilities across Punjab. He informed the House that two universities were being established in Sardar Muhammad Ali’s district, while the Nawaz Sharif School of Excellence project was also being expanded. The minister also claimed that an increasing number of students was leaving private institutions and enrolling in government schools due to improvements in the public education sector.
During the session, government member Rahila Khadim Hussain highlighted the poor condition of Government Graduate College for Women, Baghbanpura. In response, the Minister for Education assured the House that all outstanding issues would be resolved within seven months. He acknowledged that the absence of a dedicated budget for the repair and maintenance of schools and colleges had contributed to the growing problems and suggested the formation of a joint committee to address the matter.
About the issue of lack of educational facilities in Rajanpur, the minister admitted that eight districts in Punjab still lacked universities. However, he informed the house that two sub-campuses were being established in Rajanpur and plans were under way to set up 37 new sub-campuses in underserved areas across the province.
At the conclusion of the proceedings, Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan expressed serious displeasure over the absence of ministers and parliamentary secretaries. He remarked that lawmakers were raising important public issues, yet neither ministers nor parliamentary secretaries were present to hear them. “I am not a post office,” the Speaker said, directing the assembly secretariat to formally convey his concern to the absent ministers.
The Assembly also unanimously passed resolutions to rename a locality in Kasur district, currently known as “Kot Qatal Garhi,” after Hazrat Baba Ji Syed Sher Ali Shah Bukhari, and to commend the historic cleanliness arrangements carried out during Eid-ul-Adha. After completion of the agenda, the Speaker adjourned the session until 2:00 pm on Wednesday.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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