APROPOS the letter ‘PhD allowance’ (Feb 13). The decision by the Boards and Universities Secretariat of Sindh to discontinue PhD allowance, which was paid to retired faculty of the public sector universities, is nothing more than robbing the scholars of their due right.

A teacher, after giving his sweat and blood to the nation, cannot be termed as ‘retired’ and forgotten after superannuation. It is these PhD faculty members who with their knowledge and experience become a source of wisdom and are an asset for society. Not only do they guide fresh scholars but are a source of knowledge and wisdom for society at large.

Such discriminatory decisions are against the very logic of encouraging academic and research skills and have not been taken by the authorities of public sector universities in other provinces.

The letter has rightly pointed out and questioned why Sindh has gone ahead and allowed a PhD allowance to the non-teaching staff?

The Higher Education Commission and HEC Sindh should take up the matter with the Sindh government to undo the wrong perpetrated on PhD holders.

M.H. Kureshi

Karachi

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2020