ISLAMABAD – In reaction to the yet again ignored state of higher education in the newly outlined FY2025-26 budget by the federal government, the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA) has communicated a countrywide protest movement.
FAPUASA criticised the lack of an increase in the recurring grant of PKR 65 billion that has been stagnant since 2018, even though the federal budget has risen by 196 percent during the same time in a high-level executive council meeting chaired by President Prof. Dr. Mazhar Iqbal on June 13, 2025. As the number of public universities increasing by 126 to 156, the association threatened a financial meltdown in the public university system.
FAPUASA slammed the immediate increase of the recurring grant to not less than PKR 200 billion. It also gave grave concern about the uncertainty of the 25 percent tax rebate of teachers, which is still unchanged in the newly released Finance Bill, although there were indications that it will be extended.
The association also accused the government of failing to review the salaries of TTS faculty members since 2021, which has contributed to demoralization and loss of talent. Higher Education Commission (HEC) was also demanded accountable over its inability to provide requisite funds and safeguard academic interests.
The protest campaign initiates with a black day on June 16, and then the series of peaceful protests held on June 17 in front of the Press Club and June 19 in front of the Parliament House.
FAPUASA threatened that unless demands are met, the crisis would culminate into a complete academic collapse.
