Islamabad:Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA) has urged the federal and provincial governments and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to take immediate steps to resolve longstanding issues confronting university faculty.
At an Executive Council meeting, FAPUASA expressed strong condemnation over the registration of FIRs against Professors of the University of the Punjab and demanded their immediate withdrawal, saying faculty grievances should be resolved through institutional mechanisms, dialogue and due process.
The EC reiterated its demand for a uniform, transparent and equitable promotion policy for BPS faculty across public-sector universities and called for the removal of the mandatory post-PhD experience requirement as a condition for promotion. FAPUASA said it already approached the HEC Chairperson on the matter.
The association expressed serious concern over the failure to enhance the salaries of Tenure Track System (TTS) faculty for the past five years despite the sharp increase in the cost of living. It demanded implementation of the rationally determined salary increase recommended by the Prime Minister’s Task Force Regarding Pay Scale System for HR Recruitment in higher education institutions. It said the salary enhancement was essential to preserving the vision and long-term sustainability of the TTS and warned that if the matter was not resolved within two months, it would launch a countrywide protest movement. The council also called for a substantial increase in the higher education budget, stressing that sustained investment was necessary for research, innovation, modern academic programmes, advanced facilities and human-resource development.
FAPUASA further urged the relevant authorities to respect universities autonomy and refrain from undue interference in their affairs. It also expressed concern over the non-compliance of universities with HEC directives regarding faculty advertisements and the constitution of Selection Boards, urging the HEC Chairperson to ensure implementation and accountability.
The EC reaffirmed its commitment to resolving these matters through constructive engagement with the government, HEC and universities while stressing that it would take appropriate collective action where necessary to safeguard the legitimate academic, professional and financial rights of university faculty.
