ISLAMABAD: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association on Friday expressed serious concerns over the financial crises faced by universities in Pakistan.
Many universities are currently facing budgetary issues and cannot pay the monthly salaries of their staff and faculty members. Consequently, the University of Peshawar and the University of Balochistan, Quetta, have been closed.
Several other veracities will also likely be closed in the next few days.
Central President Prof. Dr Kalim Ullah Bareach, General Secretary Prof. Dr Ikhtuar Ali Ghomro, and Vice President Dr Farukh Arsalan Siddiqui called upon the federal government to increase the annual recurring and development budget to at least 500 billion rupees for universities in the next budget (2023-2024).
They also demanded that all provincial governments raise their Grants for Aids to their respective universities.
They said that the current budget for universities is insufficient, and it has become challenging for universities to meet their expenses and pay salaries.
As a result, many staff and faculty members suffer and cannot make ends meet.
Financial crisis and education quality
They highlighted that the lack of funds had also caused the deterioration of the education quality provided by universities.
FAPUASA said that the universities could not invest in research and infrastructure, leading to a decline in education and research output standards.
The statement said that FAPUASA was committed to working with the government to solve the financial problems faced by universities and expressed hope that the authorities would take immediate action in this regard.
