Public universities across Pakistan are in the grip of a worsening financial crisis, prompting an urgent call for government intervention by the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA).
In an emergency online session chaired by President Dr Amjad Abbas Magsi, FAPUASA’s Executive Council stressed the critical need for enhanced federal and provincial education funding. The association urged the prime minister, finance minister, higher education minister, and provincial chief ministers to prioritize universities in the upcoming budget allocations.
The council also emphasized the need for the immediate formation of provincial Higher Education Commissions (HECs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. It called for complete financial and administrative independence for all provincial HECs to better manage local academic affairs.
Highlighting the severity of the crisis, HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed disclosed that the higher education sector is currently facing a massive funding shortfall of Rs. 60.1 billion, a significant increase from Rs. 17.7 billion in 2018-19. Despite a requirement of Rs. 125 billion, only Rs. 65 billion was allocated this year.
Renowned institutions such as Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), and Federal Urdu University are struggling to pay salaries and pensions. A plea for Rs. 2.5 billion in emergency relief funds, submitted in January, remains pending approval.
Amid the challenges, FAPUASA welcomed the federal cabinet’s recent decision to reinstate tax rebates for teachers and urged the Federal Board of Revenue to issue the official notification without delay.
As the crisis deepens, stakeholders await decisive government action to prevent the collapse of the country’s higher education system.