Researchers & teachers: FAPUASA, PUASA condemn govt's decision to revoke tax rebate
LAHORE: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) Punjab Chapter and the Punjab University Academic Staff Association (PUASA) held a joint press conference at the University Club Committee Room on Monday strongly condemning the federal government's decision to revoke the longstanding tax rebate for researchers and teachers.
The associations called upon Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to immediately increase budgetary allocations for the province's universities to mitigate the financial crisis in higher education.
The press conference was chaired by PU ASA President and former FAPUASA President Prof Dr Amjad Abbas Khan Magsi. Other prominent attendees included FAPUASA Balochistan President Prof Dr Kaleem Ullah Bareach, FAPUASA Punjab President and PU ASA Secretary Dr Muhammad Islam, PU ASA Vice President Dr Ghalib Atta, and GCU ASA President Prof Dr Noman Aftab.
The academic leaders expressed deep concern over the inadequate funding and tax-related challenges faced by Punjab's universities. Dr Amjad Magsi highlighted the disparity in financial support, stating that Punjab, despite being the largest province with 51 universities, has been allocated only Rs18 billion as a recurring grant. In contrast, Sindh, with 32 universities, receives more than double that amount at Rs42 billion. The speakers demanded an urgent revision of the recurring grants for Punjab's public sector universities to ensure equitable resource distribution.
The tax rebate, initially introduced at 75% during General Musharraf's government in 2006 to encourage research and retain academic talent, was reduced to 40% by the PML-N government in 2013. Now, the current administration has decided to abolish it entirely, a move that reflects a persistent neglect of the academic community. The rebate was not a privilege but a necessity for university faculty and researchers who often bear out-of-pocket expenses for journal publications, research materials, fieldwork, and academic travel. Its removal is expected to demoralize scholars, reduce research output, and exacerbate brain drain, ultimately undermining Pakistan's academic progress.
This decision comes amid a severe financial crisis in higher education. Despite the federal budget expanding from Rs5.9 trillion in 2018 to Rs17.5 trillion in 2025 — a 196% increase — the recurring grant for higher education has remained stagnant at Rs65 billion. Meanwhile, the number of public universities has risen from 126 to 160, with operating costs, salaries, pensions, and utility expenses surging significantly.
According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan, the country allocates a mere 0.8% of its GDP to education, with only 0.37% dedicated to higher education in the current fiscal year. This falls drastically short of UNESCO's recommended 4–6% and lags behind regional counterparts like India and Bangladesh. Notably, both PML-N and PPP had pledged in their election manifestos to raise education spending to 4% of GDP but have failed to fulfil this commitment while in power.
The academic leaders urged the Punjab government to take immediate action to safeguard the future of higher education in the province, emphasizing that continued neglect would have long-term detrimental effects on research, innovation, and national development.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
16 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PM calls to strengthen democratic institutions
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged the nation to renew its resolve to strengthen parliamentary institutions, uphold democratic values, and ensure that the voices of the people are truly reflected in the lawmaking process. In a message on the International Day of Parliamentarism, he said, "The day is observed every year on June 30 to reaffirm our global commitment to reinforcing democratic institutions." "The day also celebrates the vital role of Parliaments in promoting inclusive governance, ensuring meaningful representation of women and youth, and embracing technological innovation in legislative practices," he said. The PM noted, "Our Parliament occupies a central place in our democratic framework. Through its legislative authority and the vigilant work of its standing committees, Parliament ensures accountability, transparency, and oversight of the executive." "The Constitution of Pakistan enshrines representation of women through reserved seats under Articles 51 and 59. Our women parliamentarians have also risen to leadership positions: currently, eight women Senators and four women Members of the National Assembly serve as Chairpersons of Parliamentary Committees, breaking glass ceilings and setting an example of inclusive and empowered leadership," he remarked. The prime minister said, "Parliament has also remained proactive in enacting progressive legislation, particularly to advance gender equality and social protection." He said, "As we mark this important day, let us renew our resolve to strengthen parliamentary institutions, safeguard democratic values, and ensure that the voices of the citizenry are truly reflected in the lawmaking process." Chaudhry Nisar Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the residence of disgruntled PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and inquired after his health. According to a statement issued by the PM House, both leaders discussed national and international issues. The meeting was held in a very pleasant atmosphere, and they relived their past memories.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
PPP likely to join Centre as power-sharing talks advance
Listen to article After extending crucial support to the federal budget, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is expected to formally join the federal government in July, with the distribution of ministries likely to be finalised next month, sources told Express News. The move comes after weeks of tension between the PPP and the ruling Paksitan Muslim League (PML-N) over budget allocations and controversial tax measures, which had prompted strong criticism from the PPP. The party had accused the government of sidelining Sindh and threatened to withhold support for the budget unless its demands were addressed. However, the deadlock eased when the government agreed to a number of key concessions, including a 20% increase in the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) budget and the rollback of proposed powers for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to arrest taxpayers without warrants. Read More: Bilawal explains why PPP supports federal budget Addressing the National Assembly on Thursday, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had said his party would support the federal budget after the government accepted its demands to raise the BISP allocation to Rs716 billion, exempt income tax for salaried individuals earning up to Rs100,000, and reduce sales tax on solar panels. Sources familiar with the negotiations say the PPP's budget support has paved the way for a broader power-sharing arrangement with the PML-N, brokered in part by the establishment. They added that the establishment had assured PPP leadership there would be no change in government and that political continuity was essential for national stability. 'The message was clear: the system must continue — and it will,' a source close to the talks said. Efforts are also underway to bring other political forces on board as part of a larger consensus-building initiative. In the next phase, the PPP is expected to become part of the Punjab government, sources said. Backchannel talks between the two parties are already in progress, though a final agreement has yet to be reached.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
South Punjab to get e-buses on priority
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inspects a ramp for differently-abled passengers in an electric bus which is set to ply on the roads in Lahore. photo: express Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered the provision of more electric buses for the districts in South Punjab. Chairing a meeting in which the transport department briefed her on its projects and the progress made on the electric bus project was reviewed, the chief minister said the remote areas should be given priority in the provision of electric buses. She emphasised, "The culture of always giving every new facility to big cities must be changed. We will bring rural areas at par with the major cities." She ordered that 240 electric buses should be given on a priority basis to 24 districts. In the first phase, the 240 e-buses will be provided to relatively underdeveloped districts. Between August and October, 500 e-buses will be provided for Lahore, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Multan and Rawalpindi. From November to December, 600 additional electric buses will arrive in Punjab. The chief minister highlighted, "Under the Punjab Clean Air Programme, 400 electric buses will be provided to Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur and Lahore." A detailed review was conducted of the Gujranwala Bus Rapid Transit project. In order to connect the entire city and suburban areas, 80 feeder buses will be launched. On the 22km-long BRT system from Rahwali to Eminabad, 28 stations will be established. A proposal to extend the Gujranwala BRT route was also reviewed. The BRT system will provide two-way transportation after every eight minutes. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif issued directives that traffic along the Gujranwala BRT route should be managed through a smart traffic control solution. For this project, four electric bus depots will be established in Gujranwala. In the meeting, progress on the Orange Line and Red Line transport systems in Faisalabad was also reviewed. The Red Line will be 23.4km long, with 24 stations, and is expected to transport more than 185,000 passengers daily. The Orange Line will be 29km long, with 21 stations, and is expected to transport over 111,000 passengers daily. On the chief minister's instruction, the route from the FIEDMC to Salami Chowk has been included in the project. The chief minister directed the transport department to immediately start all public welfare projects, and said the e-bus routes should be determined while keeping in view the public commuting needs.
