A protesting ad hoc lecturer narrates his ordeal

Making ends meet under pressing times

PESHAWAR: A resident of Kurram Agency who is serving as an ad hoc lecturer at the Government Degree College, Nawagai in Bajaur Agency for five years said he could have got his ailing father properly treated if he had a regular job.

“Instead of protesting for regularisation of my service, I could have concentrated on the treatment of my father,” Nasir Ali told The News.He is one of the protesting ad hoc lecturers, who have set up a protest camp outside the Peshawar Press Club, to seek regularisation of service.

Nasir Ali, who teaches Health and Physical Education and belongs to Parachinar, said he was performing duty away from his home in Bajaur Agency in order to support his poor family.  “My family faces a lot of problems as we cannot make both ends meet. We are not paid salary regularly and it has added to our problems,” he complained.

“My father being old and ill cannot work. I am the sole breadwinner of my family comprising of my parents, four sisters, a younger brother, wife and son,” the lecturer said. He added that his mother was also a heart patient.

Nasir Ali, who actively participates in the protests staged by the ad hoc lecturers, said it badly affected the treatment of his ailing parents and the education of his young siblings.“Instead of spending money on my family I spent my salary on the protests as I am staying at a hotel in Peshawar. I and my three colleagues have jointly rented a room in a local hotel for Rs7,000 per month. We also spend money on transportation and food,” he pointed out. 

Nasir Ali said the government didn’t regularise their services despite repeated assurances in the last five years. He said the rulers’ indifferent attitude compelled the 215 lecturers, including females, to take to the streets.

He urged the authorities to take notice of their plight and poor financial condition and regularise their services so that they could better support their families and perform duty efficiently.