Varsity teachers concerned over suspension of tax exemption

LAHORE: Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) Pakistan, on behalf of university teachers and the academic community, has expressed strong reservations against the suspension of tax exemption for university teachers and researchers.

In a letter written to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the FAPUASA leadership observed that the Pakistani academia would face further financial difficulties after the suspension of tax exemptions given by the government to teachers and researchers, which would directly affect them and the universities would be handicapped to play their effective role in the development of the country.

FAPUASA Pakistan Central President Dr Amjad Magsi said that university teachers and researchers work as vanguards for the intellectual and scientific development of country. The teaching fraternity were already suffering from low wages and after this segment, they would suffer even more financially, which will have a direct impact on the national development.

In their letter, the FAPUASA representatives also drew the Prime Minister’s attention to the letter written by the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) dated 14.05.2024 in which the request was made to restore the 75 percent tax exemption for researchers and university teachers.

The HEC chairman in the said letter acknowledged the role of university teachers and researchers in national development and sought to highlight the negative impact of new tax burden on their academic skills.

FAPUASA leaders observed that the restoration of tax exemption would not only give immense encouragement to the academic community but would also strengthen the government’s positive thinking and commitment towards education and research.