ISLAMABAD: On the call of Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Association, the teaching community in Islamabad on Thursday observed a black day against the federal government’s decision of abolishing 25pc tax rebate on teachers’ salaries.

Teachers of various universities, including Comsats, Quaid-i-Azam University, International Islamic University Islamabad, as well as several colleges and schools observed the back day.

Faculty members opposed the federal government’s decision to abolish the 25pc tax rebate and the controversial changes to the university Acts by the Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) governments.

They wore black armbands as a symbol of protest against what they called anti-education policies of the government.

Dr Mohammad Jadoon Khan, President Academic Staff Association of Comsats University Islamabad campus, termed the abolishment of the 25pc tax rebate a “cruel decision” against the faculty, which had exacerbated their financial hardships.

He also criticised the changes to the university Acts by the Sindh and KP governments, stating that these amendments were a deliberate attempt to reduce universities autonomy and undermine academic freedom.

Meanwhile, teachers affiliated with Federal Government Teachers Associations, School Heads Associations, Federal Government School Teachers Associations and Model College Associations also observed a black day. Later in the evening, they decided to hold a protest demonstration and sit-in on February 4 outside National Press Club.

“Teachers are up in arms to press the government to reverse the tax deduction notification and resolve other issues,” said President of School Head Associations Fazal Moula.

He said representatives of teachers held a meeting on Thursday evening and decided that they would participate in the protest sit-in outside the press club on Feb 4 with full force.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2025