FAPUASA writes to leadership on burning issues faced by academia

Islamabad: Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA) has written letters to national leadership conveying serious concerns about the deteriorating state of higher education in the country. The association urged the country’s leadership to take immediate steps to safeguard the rights of teachers and restore confidence in the university system.

In its correspondence, FAPUASA wrote letters to the President, Prime Minister, the Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, the Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, chairperson Higher Education Commission (HEC), Chairpersons, Standing Committees of Senate and National Assembly on Finance and Revenue and on Education highlighting multiple unresolved matters including the withdrawal of the 25 percent income tax rebate for teachers and researchers, the delay in implementing the BPS promotion policy and the long-pending revision of Tenure Track System (TTS) salaries.

The federation emphasised that the continued neglect of these issues is damaging faculty’s morale and weakening the performance of public universities across the country. FAPUASA President Prof Mazhar Iqbal stressed on the abolition of the 25 percent tax rebate. He described it as a regressive and harmful policy. He added that, this rebate was seen as recognition of the academic community’s contribution to national development. It not only supported the financial well-being of teachers and researchers but also helped attract and retain talent in academia. Its withdrawal will significantly reduce faculty incomes, discourage young scholars from joining the profession and accelerate the brain drain of highly qualified PhDs and researchers undermining Pakistan’s already fragile knowledge economy.

In 2006-2007, the government introduced a 75 percent tax rebate to attract and retain highly qualified researchers and teachers. This rebate was gradually reduced to 40% in 2013-2014 under Nawaz Sharif and 25% in 2018-2019 by Imran Khan governments. Unfortunately, the current government of Mian Shehbaz Sharif in the recent budget, completely revoked the rebate, the FAPUASA Chief said.

As a constructive way forward, Vice-President FAPUASA Prof Akhtiar Ghumro suggested that the government should either restore the rebate or introduce an alternate allowance for teachers and researchers ensuring that their net income is not diminished and their vital role in nation-building is fairly recognised.

FAPUASA also voiced strong displeasure over the Punjab’s Universities and Institutes (Amendment) Act 2025 which alters Syndicates composition, reducing elected faculty input and curtailing collegial oversight.

FAPUASA General Secretary Prof Fareed Achakzai termed these changes a direct attack on institutional autonomy and academic freedom, calling upon the Punjab Government to withdraw the controversial provisions and engage in genuine consultations with faculty representatives.