Latest news with #FederationofAllPakistanUniversitiesAcademicStaffAssociation
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
University employees to protest budget cuts
People attend a rally in support of federal workers outside the 26 Federal Plaza, a federal office building in New York City, U.S., March 25, 2025. PHOTO:REUTERS On the call of the central body of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA), employees of all universities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will observe a Black Day today. The protest is being held to condemn the inadequate allocation for higher education in the provincial budget and to highlight other pressing issues. According to a statement by the President of the Universities' Grand Alliance K-P, similar protests will be held in universities across the province. Staff members will wear black armbands as a mark of protest. The Grand Alliance has rejected outright the Rs10 billion budget allocated for 34 public sector universities in the province, calling it insufficient to meet even basic needs. Instead, the alliance has demanded the immediate release of Rs50 billion. They warned that if their demands are not met, a province-wide protest movement will be launched.
Business Recorder
13-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Federal Budget: FAPUASA Punjab expresses disappointment
LAHORE: The Punjab Chapter of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) has strongly condemned the federal government's recently announced salary increase for government employees in the 2025-26 budget, branding it "insufficient" in the face of soaring inflation. The association issued an urgent call for immediate measures to support university teachers whose socio-economic conditions are rapidly deteriorating. Leading the criticism, Dr. Muhammad Islam, General Secretary of the Academic Staff Association (ASA) at Punjab University, and Dr. Riaz Hussain Khan Sindhar, President of the ASA at Islamia University Bahawalpur, expressed profound disappointment with the federal budget unveiled on June 10th. They emphasized that the announced pay raise fails to address the severe financial hardship experienced by government servants, particularly those in the higher education sector. "The teachers are the nation-builders, and in all civilized societies, they are treated with dignity and care," stated Dr. Muhammad Islam in a press release issued Thursday. He lamented that despite this vital role, the federal budget once again neglected to include any special incentive or relief package specifically for university teachers, leaving them vulnerable to rampant inflation. The academic leaders voiced serious concerns extending beyond faculty salaries. They highlighted the static recurring grant allocated to public sector universities, which remains unchanged from the previous fiscal year. Dr. Islam and Dr. Sindhar warned that this financial stagnation will critically exacerbate the already precarious economic situation faced by universities and their employees. They argued that this lack of funding will severely hamper essential academic and research activities, directly contradicting the government's stated commitment to building a knowledge-based economy, which they termed "hollow rhetoric." A specific demand was raised regarding the frozen salaries of faculty members under the Tenure Track System (TTS), which have reportedly remained unchanged for many years. The FAPUASA Punjab leadership demanded an immediate increase in their pay. Furthermore, Dr. Islam issued a direct demand to the federal government for immediate clarification. He insisted that the announced 30% Disparity Reduction Allowance (DRA) must be extended to university teachers without any discrimination or procedural delays. "The pay disparity between university faculty and their counterparts in other government departments has reached alarming levels," Dr. Islam stated. He recalled the past "injustice" of university teachers being excluded from the DRA and issued a stark warning: "A repeat of that injustice will compel university teachers to take to the streets in protest." Additionally, he demanded that the recently restored 25% tax rebate be explicitly extended to the coming years. Looking towards the provincial level, FAPUASA Punjab called upon the Punjab government to take bold action in its upcoming budget, scheduled for announcement on June 13, 2025. The association urged the provincial leadership to ensure that the salary increase for Punjab government employees surpasses the percentage offered by the federal government. Crucially, they demanded that the 30% DRA be granted equitably to all provincial employees, explicitly including university teachers within Punjab. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
University teachers call off boycott, classes resume today
HYDERABAD: The teachers of public sector universities in Sindh have decided to call off their boycott of classes from February 6, but their protest against the provincial government's controversial reforms regarding the appointment of vice chancellors will continue. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Abdul Rehman Nangraj, General Secretary of the Sindh chapter of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA), announced a shift in their protest strategy. "We acknowledge that the prolonged boycott has disrupted students' education, and we deeply regret the academic setbacks they have faced," he said, emphasising that despite their efforts, the government has remained indifferent to their concerns. While classes will resume, teachers will persist in their demonstration by wearing black armbands and raising awareness among students about the negative repercussions of the newly enacted legislation. The amendment, they argue, allows bureaucrats — who lack academic and research experience — to assume the role of vice chancellors, imperiling the autonomy of universities. The teachers have resolved to boycott visits from ministers, MPAs, and bureaucrats to their campuses. They also plan to engage with national and international academic institutions to mount pressure on the provincial government to reconsider the legislation. Nangraj revealed that legal action against the amendment is also under consideration. The protesting faculty contends that appointing bureaucrats as university heads will not only undermine academic freedom and excellence but also expose universities to increased political interference. "This legal move seems to be part of a broader strategy to suppress critical thinking and dissent within academic institutions," Nangraj asserted. He further stated that university autonomy is globally recognised as a key factor in academic progress and innovation. The Sindh Assembly passed the Sindh Universities and Institutes Law (Amendment) Act, 2025, on February 1, despite strong opposition from academic circles, including the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. In response, university teachers promptly launched their protest, initially boycotting classes to voice their dissent. Although they have now resumed academic activities, their resistance against the law remains unwavering, signaling an ongoing struggle for the independence of higher education institutions in the province.
