ISLAMABAD: Reforms in education sector through restoration of student unions, review of poor state of higher education, appointment of new Higher Education Commission (HEC) chairman through merit and transparent process without any external political interference were stressed at a student convention on Tuesday. A large number of students, including representatives of Anjuman Tulba Islam (ATI), participated in the convention at National Press Club Islamabad. They demanded abolition of self-finance and NTS test, effective implementation of 18th Constitutional Amendment in higher education sector through empowering provinces, review of curriculum and excluding anti Islam material and allocation of 5% of total budget for education. The convention also presented 20 points charter also for implementation in which they demanded allocation of 25 percent of the total education budget for higher education sector. On this occasion, Nouman Jabbar announced countrywide protests if their demands were not met. He lamented over downfall of Pakistan in higher education sector due to political interference and appointments of incapable persons. Besides, speakers also urged the federal government to fulfil its commitment for ensuring good governance, transparency, merit and accountability in education sector, especially in higher education sector. They said that international reports and rankings had exposed the so-called claims of promotion of higher education in Pakistan. They said that there was a dire need to take action against those who were responsible for the downfall of higher education in Pakistan instead of giving them extensions. Published in Daily Times, January 31st 2018.