Senate body on finance recommends FAPUASA demands on higher education

Islamabad:The Senate Standing Committee on Finance has recommended demands made by Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA) for enhancing recurring grant and continuation of 25% Tax Rebate in the Higher Education Budget in Fiscal 2005-26.

A delegation headed by its President Dr Mazhar Iqbal attended a meeting of the Committee here Thursday. The Committee was chaired by PPP Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and attended by Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiyani, Chairperson FBR Rashid Mehmood Langrial along with other members of the Standing Committee.

The FAPUASA delegation was invited to share its views on the Federal higher education budget and the continuation of the 25% tax rebate for university teachers and researchers.

FAPUASA representatives strongly reiterated the need to enhance the Higher Education recurring grant to at least Rs86 billion, in line with HEC's current request and gradually raise it to Rs200 billion to ensure higher education receives a fair and sustainable share in the national budget.

The delegation asserted that this rebate is an essential incentive to retain top academic talent, attract young scholars to the profession and prevent brain drain from Pakistan’s universities. Removing this rebate, they argued, would undermine academic motivation and weaken the research capacity of the country.

According to a FAPUASA statement, the Finance Committee acknowledged the concerns presented by the faculty and recommended the demands unanimously. FAPUASA delegation thanked the committee for providing a platform and opportunity for raising the academia's concerns at the parliamentary level.

To further build support for its demands, the FAPUASA delegation continued its parliamentary engagements into the second day. The delegation in the last two days met with several MNAs and Senators of PPP, PML-N, MQM and presented its viewpoint seeking their support on the key issues. They extended full support to the academic community and assured the delegation that they would raise their concerns in Parliament.