———– Protest in Defiance of Anti-Education Policies
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The Academic Staff Association of COMSATS University Islamabad (ASA-CUI) observed a Black Day in solidarity with the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA) Pakistan’s nationwide protest. Faculty members gathered to vehemently oppose the federal government’s decision to abolish the 25% tax rebate for university faculty and the controversial changes to university acts by the Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) governments.
In a powerful display of unity and resistance, faculty members tied black ribbons to their arms as a symbol of mourning and protest against the government’s anti-education policies. The protest, held on the CUI, Islamabad campus, saw a large turnout of academic staff dressed in black, with placards in hand and slogans echoing across the venue.
Dr. Muhammad Jadoon Khan, President of ASA-CUI, Islamabad Campus, addressed the protestors and condemned the government’s policies. He termed the abolishment of the 25% tax rebate as a “cruel decision” against the faculty, which has exacerbated the financial hardships faced by academic staff.
He also criticized the changes in university acts by the Sindh and KPK governments, stating that these amendments are a deliberate attempt to reduce university autonomy and undermine academic freedom.
