 | Fred or Paul could prolly parse this story better than me, but it looks interesting... |
After the successful implementation of ordinances and laws barring all the candidates holding only seminary degrees from contesting any elections, the tide of disqualification has now turned against senators, members of provincial assemblies and Member National Assemblies. This move would deal a severe blow to the polity of MMA, majority of which came through seminary degrees to parliament. The MMA hosts about 63 MNAs, 200 MPAs in all four provinces and 18 senators. Besides it has complete provincial rule over NWFP, and shares the government of Balochistan, all of which are potential disqualifiers if this rule is implemented. Some government supporters can also be potential affectees of this ordinance, if implemented. The degrees from the seminaries cannot be equivalent to any matriculation or FA Degrees, because seminaries do not impart any general knowledge necessary for a valid educational degree. | You mean memorizing the Koran ain't enough to rule Pakistan? Color me shocked. |
It is pertinent to note that regime of late President Zia-Ul-Haq had directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) in a 1982 notification to accept the degree of Shahadat Alalamia equivalent to MA Arabic, and MA Islamiat. The Higher Education Commission also verified this only a few days ago. The degree holders were also viable for the post of a lectureship. The decision of Election Commission does not interfere or affect these qualifications in the education sector, but only disqualifies them for candidacy of any elections. |