FAPUASA Urges Provincial Governments to Address Financial Crisis in Universities

Quetta:An important meeting of the Central Executive Council of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) was held under the chairmanship of President Dr. Amjad Abbas Magsi. The meeting was attended by Central Secretary General Dr. Ozeer, President of the Balochistan Chapter Professor Dr. Kaleem Ullah Baloch, President of the Punjab Chapter Dr. Khawar Nawazish, President of the Sindh Chapter Professor Dr. Ikhtiar Ali Ghomro, and President of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chapter Professor Dr. Muhammad Humayun Khan.

During the meeting, in-depth discussions were held on the financial and administrative issues faced by universities across the country. It was emphasized that the establishment of Provincial Higher Education Commissions (HEC) after the 18th Amendment is essential, and provincial governments were urged to take immediate action to ensure the autonomy of universities by setting up their own HECs.

The council also called on provincial governments to increase funding in the annual budget for the year 2025-26 to address the severe financial crisis facing universities, especially in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and various research centers. The meeting expressed grave concern over the delay in the payment of salaries and pensions to university faculty and staff, with many receiving incomplete payments months after their due date.

The meeting particularly highlighted the situation at the University of Balochistan, where faculty members and staff have not yet received their December salaries and pensions, and the announced salary increases for the fiscal year 2024-25 have yet to be disbursed. The council urged the University of Balochistan’s administration to take urgent steps to release funds from the provincial government.