Varsities’ academic staff demands tax rebate in budget

LAHORE: Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) has showed serious concern that the government has not entertained the demand for reinstatement of 75pc rebate in income tax.

FAPUASA Central President Dr Hamyoon Khan, General Secretary Dr Mahboob Hussain, Vice President Dr Kaleem Ullah, FAPUASA Punjab President Dr Sohail Aftab in a joint press statement said there were serious reservations and anger among the teachers of universities that the government was not paying heed to their just demand.

They said income tax rebate had been reduced by the government three years ago by 40 percent, which was not acceptable for the teachers’ community. Dr Mahboob Hussain said that the preparation process of new federal budget is going on so the government should accept the long standing demand.

According to a press release issued Monday, leaders of the FAPUASA has welcomed the Lahore High Court (LHC) latest judgment regarding the appointment of VCs in Punjab’s different universities in which it stated that the provincial government is fully empowered to make rules and appoint vice-chancellors of public universities.

The 59 pages detailed judgment stated that the provincial legislature has the power to set standards, procedures and criteria for selection of the VCs.

FAPUASA said realising their responsibilities in a post-18th amendment scenario, the provincial governments should allocate 25pc of total education budget to the higher education sector in order to meet growing needs. The first and foremost requirement is to follow transparent and merit based mechanisms for the appointment of university heads through independent search committee comprising of reputed academicians.

The autonomy of universities needs to be protected and respected. On the pattern of Punjab government, remaining provincial governments should also prepare roadmaps for strengthening higher education system in their respective provinces, it added.