LAHORE: Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) Executive Council on Tuesday demanded that the government allocate Rs500 billion education budget.

The first meeting of the newly elected executive council for 2024-25 was held online.

FAPUASA President Dr Amjad Abbas Magsi presided over the meeting while General Secretary Dr Muhammad Uzair moderated the proceedings. Vice President Dr Mazhar Iqbal along with presidents, general secretaries, and executive members from provincial chapters participated in the meeting. The meeting voiced concern over the precarious financial situation of public universities nationwide.

Discussions emphasised the urgent necessity for a substantial increase in both federal and provincial budgets and grant-in-aid for universities.

The council demanded the federal government allocate a minimum of Rs500 billion in the upcoming federal budget to ensure continuous funding for public sector universities through the Higher Education Commission, Islamabad.

A statement from all members insisted the prime minister, finance minister and federal minister for higher education to prioritise this allocation before finalising the federal budget.

Furthermore, the executive council urged provincial governments to allocate at least Rs50bn each in their budgets for varsities’ recurrent expenses.

It was decided that FAPUASA leadership would engage federal and provincial ministers, as well as other government officials, personally and through official correspondence to advocate for budget allocations.

The council also called upon the governments of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to promptly disburse grant-in-aid to universities experiencing prolonged salary payment delays. Furthermore, they urged the expeditious establishment of provincial HECs, akin to other provinces.

The council condemned Israel for its barbarism against the Palestinians and expressed sorrow and grief over the sad demise of Iranian President and Foreign Minister in a helicopter crash.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2024