ISLAMABAD: University teachers across the country have demanded that the government should provide required funding for the higher education sector in the upcoming budget. They said universities and educators alike had been facing lots of hardship due to the financial crunch.

The recurring grant for the higher education sector/universities has remained stagnant since 2017 despite a significant increase in the number of public sector universities. Due to inflation, the universities are faced with rising financial challenges.

According to HEC’s documents, at least Rs100 billion are required for the fiscal year as the recurring grant “to stabilise institutional finances, sustain core academic operations and strengthen the country’s national research framework.” The documents show that HEC had demanded Rs138 billion for the fiscal year 2026-27, but the federal government showed its intent to allocate only Rs65 billion, causing unrest among the teachers and in the higher education sector.

After receiving the government reply (indicative budgetary ceiling of Rs65 billion, HEC has urged the government for the allocation of at least Rs100 billion for running affairs of the universities. Upset over the situation, the Federation of All-Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA), the representative body of university teachers and researchers from public sector universities across Pakistan, and All-Public Universities BPS Teachers Association (APUBTA) demanded the government increase the budget for the higher education sector.

FAPUASA has urged the president of Pakistan, the prime minister, the Senate chairman, the National Assembly speaker and others through an open letter to immediately address the longstanding issues facing the higher education sector.

In the letter, FAPUASA called upon the government to address, on a priority basis, the serious financial and administrative challenges currently confronting Pakistan’s universities.

“These issues are severely affecting academic excellence, research productivity, faculty retention, and the overall quality of higher education. FAPUASA has sought the urgent attention of all concerned stakeholders for the resolution of the key issues highlighted in the letter.

“FAPUASA’s primary concern is the significant increase in budget allocation for the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to strengthen universities, research activities, scholarships, laboratories, and academic infrastructure. The higher education budget has remained stagnant at Rs. 65 billion since 2017-18, despite a manifold increase in the number of public sector universities. A substantial increase in both recurring and development budgets is therefore essential to overcome the financial challenges faced by these institutions,” read the letter.

It also urged the immediate approval and notification of the long-awaited salary revision for faculty members serving under the Tenure Track System (TTS) across Pakistan, as per the agreed formula among all concerned stakeholders. The organisation has also demanded the provision of comprehensive death benefits and social protection mechanisms for TTS faculty members to ensure financial security for their families.

In the letter, FAPUASA also demanded the restoration of the tax rebate for university teachers and researchers in recognition of their contributions to national development, research and human resource development. University teachers previously enjoyed a 75pc tax rebate, which was reduced to 40pc in 2013, further reduced to 25pc in 2019, and completely abolished in 2025.

Additionally, FAPUASA requested the adoption and implementation of a uniform promotion policy for faculty members serving under the Basic Pay Scale (BPS) system across all universities. Although HEC circulated a BPS promotion policy in 2022, which was agreed upon by all relevant stakeholders after minor amendments, its implementation remains pending.

Meanwhile, the All-Public Universities BPS Teachers Association (APUBTA) expressed concerns over the government;s neglect and resultant deteriorating conditions of public sector universities, especially those in Islamabad. The BPS teachers demanded 300 per cent increase in allocation for universities in Islamabad.

They urged the federal government to take immediate measures to resolve the financial crises of the universities. They demanded to increase their budget by 300 per cent in order to ensure their smooth functioning and undertaking adequate research and teaching activities. In the press release, APUBTA federal chapter President Dr Iqbal Ahmad and Vice President Dr Manzoor Ahmad criticised the situation in universities. They stated that public sector universities from Peshawar to Karachi were faced with various problems and challenges, financial crises being the gravest problem for all universities. The budget for higher education has been frozen at the 2018 level and has also been decreased in some heads over the years.

“This situation demands a substantial increase in budget for higher education. However, the federal government has neither increased the budget for higher education nor seriously attempted to persuade the provincial governments to adequately share the responsibility of funding the public sector universities. Resultantly, several universities are unable to pay salaries, pensions and other dues to its teachers and other employees. The universities in the federal capital, especially Quad-i-Azam University, International Islamic University and Federal Urdu University, have been hit hard, the press release said.

When contacted, HEC Chairman Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar said the recurring grant of universities was stagnant for the last many years and HEC and the ministry of education had been making all-out efforts to secure maximum funds in upcoming budget.

“I do agree that budget for higher education in Pakistan has remained limited for many years, whereas leading universities around the world invest heavily in research, innovation, and human resources. It is this investment that helps them achieve outstanding positions in global rankings,” he said.

“We are making efforts and are hopeful that the government will allocate the required budget,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2026