PESHAWAR: University of Peshawar, widely regarded as the mother institution of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is grappling with a deepening financial crisis, as faculty and staff received only partial salary for March 2025, while retired employees continue to wait for their monthly pensions, said joint action committee of the university staff here on Monday.

The JAC issued a press statement expressing “deep concern and anguish” over the institution’s financial instability and the “continued indifference” of the provincial authorities.

The situation had sparked outrage among university personnel and prompted a strong call for immediate intervention from the provincial government, especially the chief minister, who is also the chancellor of the varsity, the statement said.

The committee warned that if immediate action was not taken, protests would be held during the upcoming inauguration of the KP Innovation Hub, an event expected to be attended by top government officials.

It is a cruel irony that our aging mentors, many facing health challenges, are now struggling to secure their rightful pensions, the statement said.

The JAC particularly criticised higher education minister Meena Khan Afridi for failing to fulfill promises regarding the transfer of pension liabilities from universities to the provincial government. These unfulfilled pledges have only deepened the crisis, the committee stated, calling the inaction a betrayal of the public servants, who dedicated their lives to the nation’s future.

Leaders from various employee groups, including Peshawar University Teachers Association, Class-III and Class-IV staff, and sanitation workers, have all signed onto the statement, emphasising the urgency of the issue.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2025