The Federal Chapter of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) held a protest rally in front of the National Press Club Islamabad today, demanding urgent attention to the long-standing issues plaguing the higher education sector in Pakistan.
The protesting faculty members, representing various universities of Islamabad, called on the Government of Pakistan to:
1. Increase the budget for higher education to 5% of the GDP, a significant rise from the current allocation of Rs 65 billion to at least Rs 500 billion.
2. Approve the service structure for BPS faculty members in Pakistani universities, a longstanding issue affecting over 50,000 faculty members who have been stuck in the same grade for several years.
3. Enhance TTS (Tenure Track System) salaries in accordance with TTS statutes.
4. Restore the tax rebate to 75%, its previous value.
The protesters emphasized the critical need for the government to prioritize higher education and address the lingering issues faced by faculty members. They urged the authorities to take concrete steps to improve the quality of education, research, and academic environment in Pakistani universities.
The FAPUASA Federal Chapter vowed to continue their struggle until their demands are met, stressing that the future of higher education and the country’s progress
Dr. Iqbal Ahmad Khan Jatoi
President
FAPUASA Federal Chapter
