PESHAWAR, Nov 24: The NWFP assembly on Friday adopted a bill for setting up the Khyber Medical University to promote excellence in medical education through standardisation, training, evaluation and research.

Health Minister Inyatullah Khan had tabled the Khyber Medical University Bill 2006 in the assembly on Nov 1. The opposition and treasury benches had proposed 40 amendments to the 52-clause bill, with Muzaffar Said and Amanat Ali Shah of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal proposing over 30 amendments. The house adopted all the amendments.

The minister verbally proposed a new amendment, calling for doing away with the board of governors of the Ayub Medical College.

He said the bill was in accordance with the parameters set by the Higher Education Commission for universities. He said that the medical co-ordination council, headed by provincial health minister, would supervise academic and administrative aspect of the medical and health institutions.

The minister said that it had been their dream to establish a world-class university to work for achieving excellence in medical education and to seek uniformity of medical education at under-graduate and post-graduate levels.

He thanked the opposition lawmakers for supporting the bill and introducing positive amendments.

The minister said that the cabinet had approved the establishment of the medical university and a women medical college in Peshawar.

He said that the medical university would deal with curriculum, teaching staff and their professional training whereas the health department would deal with administrative aspects of the medical and health institutions.

Dr Simin Mahmud Jan of the Pakistan Muslim League withdrew her amendment envisaging nomination of an MPA, who should be a graduate of the Khyber Medical College, on the academic council of the university. Speaking on the bill, Abdul Akbar Khan of the People's Party Parliamentarians said that the opposition lawmakers considered it an important legislation. He said that the amendments were aimed at removing lacunas in the bill and protecting service of the employees.

Bashir Ahmed Bilour, Dr Simeen and Nasren Khattak endorsed the bill and said they would support constructive measures of the government and oppose steps which might harm democratic norms in the province.

Opposition leader in the NWFP Assembly Shahzada Mohammad Gustasip Khan said that it was a historic day and the establishment of the medical university would promote medical sciences in the province.

REPORT SOUGHT: Speaker Bakht Jehan Khan asked the standing committee of the house on interior and tribal affairs to submit in a month report of an inquiry into an attack on MPA Nighat Orakzai's house and an alleged attempt to kidnap her sons by unidentified assailants.