Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA) has written letters to the President of Pakistan, the Prime Minister, the Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, the Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC), Chairmen of standing committees on Finance and Revenue and the Chairmen of the Standing Committees on Education of both Senate and National Assembly conveying serious concerns about the deteriorating state of higher education in the country. The association urged the country’s leadership to take immediate steps to safeguard the rights of teachers and restore confidence in the university system.
In its correspondence, FAPUASA highlighted multiple unresolved matters, including the withdrawal of the 25% income tax rebate for teachers and researchers, the delay in implementing the BPS promotion policy, and the long-pending revision of Tenure Track System (TTS) salaries. The federation emphasized that the continued neglect of these issues is damaging faculty morale and weakening the performance of public universities across the country.
President FAPUASA, Prof. Mazhar Iqbal, laid particular stress on the abolition of the 25% tax rebate. He described it as a regressive and harmful policy.
He further added that, this rebate has long been seen as recognition of the academic community’s contribution to national development. It not only supported the financial well-being of teachers and researchers but also helped attract and retain talent in academia.
Its withdrawal will significantly reduce faculty incomes, discourage young scholars from joining the profession, and accelerate the brain drain of highly qualified PhDs and researchers, undermining Pakistan’s already fragile knowledge economy.
In 2006/2007, the Government of Pakistan introduced a 75% tax rebate to attract and retain highly qualified researchers and teachers. This rebate was gradually reduced to 40% in 2013/2014 and 25% in 2018/2019. Unfortunately, the current Government, in the recent budget, has completely revoked the 25% rebate.
As a constructive way forward, Vice President FAPUASA, Professor Akhtiar Ghumro, suggested that the government should either restore the rebate or introduce an alternate allowance for teachers and researchers, ensuring that their net income is not diminished and their vital role in nation-building is fairly recognized.
FAPUASA also voiced strong displeasure over the Punjab Universities and Institutes (Amendment) Act 2025, which alters syndicate compositions, reduces elected faculty input, and curtails collegial oversight.
General Secretary, FAPUASA, Mr. Fareed Achakzai, termed these changes a direct attack on institutional autonomy and academic freedom, calling upon the Punjab Government to withdraw the controversial provisions and engage in genuine consultations with faculty representatives.
