FAPUASA condemns FBR on 25pc rebate issue

By Our Correspondent
January 14, 2025
Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) President Dr Amjad Abbas Magsi. — X/amjadmagsi/File

LAHORE:The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) has condemned the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for discontinuing 25 percent rebate in respect of researchers/full-time teachers and termed the letter issued in this regard as illegal and illogical.

Advertisement

In an online meeting, the FAPUASA termed FBR’s letter titled “Intimation Regarding Discontinuance of 25% Rebate in Respect of Researchers/Full-Time Teachers” as illegal.

FAPUASA President Dr Amjad Abbas Magsi presided over the meeting and secretary general Dr M Uzair moderated the proceedings. They observed that the rebate was duly announced by the Federal Minister for Finance and incorporated into the proceedings of the National Assembly session held on June 28, 2024. Furthermore, this rebate was consistently provided during the fiscal years 2021-22 and 2022-23 and was explicitly extended by the National Assembly in the budget session for 2023-24.

Magsi said the FBR’s unilateral decision to supersede the bill passed by the NA was a clear violation of legislative authority and undermined the democratic process. “FAPUASA strongly condemns this illegal action by the FBR and demands the immediate withdrawal of the said letter,” the meeting observed.

Magsi urged the Finance Minister and the Prime Minister to hold the FBR accountable for overstepping its jurisdiction and violating the proceedings of the NA. In addition, the FAPUASA Executive Council announced to extend its full support to the protest and strike announced by the All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA) Pakistan regarding the withdrawal of new pension rules and LPR by the Punjab government.

Dr Uzair said that these new rules, which include cuts on pensions for existing employees, are not only unjust but also illegal. FAPUASA will actively participate in the rally organised by AGEGA leadership on January 22, 2025, and the subsequent sit-in (dharna) in Islamabad.

FAPUASA Executive Council demanded the Punjab government immediately withdraw the new pension and LPR rules to prevent further unrest among government employees. Meanwhile, Punjab University (PU) administration will organise a three-day book fair from February 20 to 22 at the New Campus.

In this regard, a meeting of the Book Fair Coordination Committee was held here on Monday in which deans of various faculties and heads of administrative departments participated. Meanwhile ‘Advocacy Expo’ against social evils was organised by the 5th semester students of the PU Department of Communication and Media Research (DCMR) here on Monday. Acting Vice Chancellor inaugurated the expo and led an awareness walk regarding sexual harassment against women.

In the event, students set up stalls against the scourge of drugs and dowry. Awareness stalls were also set up on the importance of preventing water wastage and drinking clean water for good health. A stall was also set up at the expo on the need to provide a safe environment for women in offices. Another stall highlighted measures to prevent smog. Some stalls were set up on the need for co-education to promote confidence between men and women in order to move in the society.

Advertisement