LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday approved two significant legislative amendments concerning higher education governance, including a landmark bill that establishes an age ceiling for the chairman of the Punjab Higher Education Commission.
The session witnessed the passage of the Superior University Lahore Amendment Bill 2025, which was presented by government member Somia Ata. This was followed by the approval of the Punjab Higher Education Commission Amendment Bill 2025, a crucial piece of legislation that introduces a sixty-five-year age limit for the position of Chairman of the Punjab Higher Education Commission. The amendment bill was brought forward by government member Amjad Ali Javed.
Speaking in support of the legislation, Amjad Ali Javed highlighted a critical gap in the existing framework, noting that previously there existed no age restriction whatsoever regarding the chairmanship of the Punjab Higher Education Commission. He pointed out that under the previous system, an individual could theoretically continue serving as chairman even until the age of one hundred. Javed informed the assembly that the current chairman of the commission was seventy-five years old, underscoring the urgency of implementing age-related reforms.
Elaborating on the rationale behind the proposed age limit, Amjad Ali Javed emphasised that natural biological processes inevitably affect human capacity over time. He argued that establishing an age restriction was essential given that the chairman bears responsibility for making critical decisions while overseeing the entire higher education system. In a pointed remark, Javed observed that some individuals consider themselves indispensable to their positions, yet graveyards remain filled with people who once believed the same, while institutional systems continue functioning regardless. He stressed that any person entrusted with running such an extensive administrative system should be subject to reasonable age limitations.
Javed also highlighted the abundance of talented young professionals available in the country, advocating that these individuals should be afforded meaningful opportunities for leadership. He firmly stated that the Chairman of the Punjab Higher Education Commission should not exceed sixty-five years of age, establishing this as the maximum threshold for holding the position.
The bill received unanimous approval from the Punjab Assembly. Following this legislative endorsement, the Punjab Higher Education Commission Act 2014 will undergo formal amendment, after which the Governor of Punjab will provide the final approval necessary for the bill to become law.
The assembly session began with a significant delay of two hours and six minutes, with Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channar presiding over the proceedings. Once the session commenced under his chairmanship, the question hour began, featuring a structured question and answer session focused on matters related to Local Government and Community Development. Parliamentary Secretary Khurram Virk was tasked with responding to queries from assembly members, while both the Secretary and Special Secretary of the department were notably absent from the assembly hall.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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