Latest news with #FAPUASA
Business Recorder
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
FAPUASA for withdrawal of ‘The Universities and Institutes Laws Act'
LAHORE: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA) Punjab Chapter strongly condemned 'The Universities and Institutes Laws (Amendment) Act 2025.' The FAPUASA called for immediate withdrawal of legislation and launched protest drive. In this regard, the FAPUASA, Punjab Chapter, held an emergency meeting on Sunday to express strong opposition to the recently passed Universities and Institutes Laws (Amendment) Act 2025 by the Punjab Assembly. The meeting, presided over by Dr Muhammad Islam (President, FAPUASA Punjab) and moderated by Dr Riaz Hussain Khan Sindhr (Secretary, FAPUASA Punjab), was attended by faculty representatives, including presidents of academic staff associations of Punjab University, Bahauddin Zakaria University, and Islamia University Bahawalpur, from universities across the province. Participants unanimously condemned the Act, which mandates the inclusion of three sitting MPAs in the syndicates of both public and private universities, viewing it as a serious infringement on university autonomy and academic freedom. The FAPUASA declared that the legislation is not a reform, but a regressive move to politicize higher education institutions. The forced excessive political presence in university decision-making bodies undermines the independence of academic institutions, marginalizes faculty, and threatens the intellectual future of Pakistan. Terming the legislation a 'licence to destroy higher education for political domination,' the participants warned that it sets a dangerous precedent that could lead to further erosion of academic freedom. The house urged the governor Punjab, in his role as chancellor of universities, to deny assent to the bill and take immediate steps to preserve the autonomy of higher education institutions. They demanded that the government withdraw the legislation through new parliamentary action and align the governance structures of newer universities with the acts of older institutions ensuring meaningful faculty representation. Participants emphasised that real reform must involve academics as primary stakeholders and respect global standards of academic and financial autonomy. It was urged that decisions about academia must be made in consultation with academics, and not solely by politicians. In addition to legislative concerns, the house raised urgent economic issues facing universities. It demanded the issuance of Disparity Reduction Allowances (DRAs), teaching allowances, and tax rebates for academic staff. The participants also called for an increase in annual government grants to universities and the reversal of recently revised pension and leave encashment rules that have negatively impacted university employees. The FAPUASA Punjab announced the launch of a provincewide protest campaign that will continue until the Act is repealed. The campaign will include meetings of academic bodies across campuses, passing of resolutions, media engagement, and a forthcoming press conference. Letters will also be sent to the Governor, Chief Minister, and Higher Education Commission (HEC) to formally convey the faculty's deep concerns. The FAPUASA called on all academic staff associations across Punjab to unite, mobilize, and defend the integrity of higher education. The association reaffirmed its commitment to use all democratic and peaceful means of protest to safeguard the autonomy, dignity, and future of Punjab's universities. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
24-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
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
Express Tribune
23-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Varsity employees demand budget hike
The Federation of All Pakistan Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) has demanded and increase in the budgetary allocations for the varsities in Punjab and criticized the federal government's decision to revoke a 25 per cent tax rebate for researchers and teachers. Addressing a press conference at Punjab University, leaders of FAPUASA and the PU Academic Staff Association leaders expressed concern over meagre funding for the universities and the revocation of the tax relief. Former FAPUASA president Dr Amjad Abbas Magsi said that despite being the largest province with the highest number of universities, Punjab government has allocated only Rs18 billion as recurring grant for its 51 universities, while 32 institutions in Sindh have been allocated Rs42 billion. The leaders demanded increase in the allocation of grants for the public sector universities in Punjab. They said 75 per cent income tax rebate introduced in 2006 was aimed at promoting research and academic retention. It was reduced to 40% in 2013 and now the government was abolishing it. They said the rebate was a lifeline for university faculty and researchers who routinely pay out of their pockets for journal publication fees, fieldwork and academic travel. Its abolition will demoralise scholars, reduce research productivity and accelerate the brain drain. The university employees' leaders said that despite the federal budget growing from Rs5.9 trillion in 2018 to Rs17.5 trillion this year, the grant for higher education has remained frozen at Rs65 billion.
Business Recorder
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
FAPUASA for 25pc tax rebate for university teachers & researchers
LAHORE: A delegation from the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA), led by President Prof Dr Mazhar Iqbal, former President Prof Amjad Abbas Magsi, and Central Information Secretary Dr Muhammad Jadoon Khan, participated in a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance. The session, chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, was attended by Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiyani, Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Rashid Mehmood Langrial, and other distinguished committee members. The FAPUASA delegation was invited to present its stance on the federal higher education budget and the continuation of the 25% tax rebate for university teachers and researchers. The representatives argued that this rebate serves as a crucial incentive to retain top academic talent, attract young scholars, and prevent brain drain from Pakistan's universities. They warned that removing this benefit would demotivate academics and weaken the country's research capacity. Additionally, the delegation stressed the need to increase the Higher Education Commission's recurring grant to at least PKR 86 billion, as currently requested by the HEC, and gradually raise it to PKR 200 billion to ensure sustainable funding for higher education. The Senate Standing Committee on Finance acknowledged FAPUASA's concerns and unanimously recommended the approval of their demands. The delegation expressed gratitude to the committee for providing a platform to address academic issues at the parliamentary level. Continuing their advocacy efforts, the FAPUASA delegation held further meetings with key policymakers on the following day. They met with Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) MNA Mir Amir Ali Khan Magsi, presenting their case and seeking his support. Magsi assured the delegation of his full backing and committed to raising their concerns in Parliament. Meanwhile, FAPUASA delegation, comprising Central President Prof Dr Mazhar Iqbal, former President Prof Dr Amjad Abbas Magsi, Islamabad Chapter President Dr Muhammad Iqbal Jatoi, and Central Information Secretary Dr Muhammad Jadoon Khan, engaged in discussions with senior government officials and political leaders. They met with Federal Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Federal Minister for Science and Technology Nawabzada Khalid Hussain Magsi. The delegation also held talks with prominent Pakistan Peoples Party leaders, including Syed Naveed Qamar, Mir Ijaz Khan Jakhrani (Chief Whip, National Assembly), Dr Nafisa Shah, Syed Agha Rafi Ullah, Syed Abrar Hussain Shah, and Pullain Baloch of the National Party, Balochistan. Additionally, they met with MQM representatives Farooq Sattar, Amin-ul-Haq, and Javed Hanif. During these meetings, FAPUASA highlighted the declining state of higher education in Pakistan and called for urgent measures to protect the sector. The delegation reiterated the necessity of maintaining the 25% tax exemption for university faculty and researchers, warning that its abolition would have severe repercussions. They also emphasized the need for increased financial support for higher education institutions to ensure accessibility for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The delegation urged the federal government to raise the recurring budget for higher education to at least PKR 200 billion and commended the Sindh government for its consistent funding of the sector. The parliamentarians endorsed FAPUASA's demands, particularly regarding the tax rebate, and assured the delegation that they would advocate for these issues in Parliament and other relevant forums. The meetings concluded with the FAPUASA delegation thanking the lawmakers for their support in safeguarding Pakistan's higher education system. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
15-06-2025
- 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.
