The Islamabad Chapter of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA) has called on the federal government to immediately approve and implement the long-awaited salary revision for faculty members serving under the Tenure Track System (TTS) in public sector universities across Pakistan.
President FAPUASA Islamabad Chapter, Prof Dr Aamir Ali, said TTS faculty members have not received any salary increase since 2021 despite soaring inflation, rising taxation, and a sharp increase in living expenses. He said the continued delay has created severe financial difficulties and frustration among university teachers, researchers, and scientists across the country.
Speaking on the issue, Prof Dr Aamir Ali stated that the Tenure Track System was introduced to attract and retain highly qualified scholars and researchers in Pakistan’s higher education sector. However, he noted that the prolonged stagnation in salaries has weakened the competitiveness and effectiveness of the system.
He emphasized that university faculty members and researchers are playing a critical role in scientific innovation, knowledge production, human resource development, and national progress. Ignoring their financial concerns, he warned, is negatively affecting research productivity, academic excellence, and the overall quality of higher education in Pakistan.
FAPUASA Islamabad Chapter welcomed the recommendations of the Special Task Force formed by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives under the leadership of Ahsan Iqbal, which proposed restructuring TTS salaries according to prevailing economic conditions. The association also appreciated the efforts of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for forwarding the relevant recommendations and summary to the concerned authorities for approval.
Prof Dr Aamir Ali urged the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, and the Higher Education Commission to approve the proposed salary revision without further delay. He said investment in university teachers and researchers is directly linked to Pakistan’s scientific progress, technological development, economic growth, and global competitiveness.
The association warned that continued delays in resolving the issue are accelerating the brain drain of highly qualified academics and researchers to foreign institutions and international markets. It cautioned that without immediate corrective measures, Pakistan’s higher education sector could face serious challenges in retaining talented human capital and maintaining international academic standards.
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FAPUASA Islamabad Chapter reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the professional rights, dignity, and welfare of university teachers and researchers and expressed hope that the government would take a positive and immediate decision regarding the approval of TTS salary reforms.
