The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the University of Peshawar (UoP) has raised serious concerns over the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s continued disregard for public universities, warning that the region’s higher education system is on the brink of collapse.
In an emergency meeting chaired by JAC President Dr Zakirullah Jan, the committee called on the provincial government to allocate at least Rs50 billion in the 2025–26 fiscal budget to revive and sustain the higher education sector. The JAC emphasized that the funds are essential for paying overdue salaries and pensions, reviving suspended academic and research activities, and ensuring the long-term viability of public universities in KP.
Union representatives of Class III, Class IV, and sanitation staff also took part in the meeting. They voiced their frustration over continued financial instability and warned of a province-wide protest if immediate action is not taken.
“The 18th Constitutional Amendment makes it clear that the provincial government is responsible for funding higher education,” said Dr Zakirullah Jan. “Unlike Punjab and Sindh, which continue to support their universities, KP has failed to meet its constitutional obligations.”
The financial crisis in KP’s public universities has led to halted operations, months-long salary delays, suspended research projects, and deteriorating academic standards. The JAC cautioned that without urgent intervention, the situation could lead to a complete breakdown of the educational infrastructure.
The committee also urged recently appointed vice chancellors to actively lobby the government for financial support. “Their silence in this critical moment will only accelerate the collapse,” warned Dr Jan.
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“We cannot remain idle while our universities crumble,” he added. “The provincial authorities must act now to prevent irreversible damage to higher education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”