ISLAMABAD: Union leaders of the universities’ teachers association have urged the government to increase the Higher Education Commission (HEC) recurring grant to at least Rs130 billion in the upcoming Federal Budget 2026–27.

They also demanded that Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) allocations be fully restored.

The unionists presented a set of demands in a meeting with Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani here on Saturday. The demands include: establish a National Pension Support Fund for universities; reinstate tax incentives and research allowances for faculty members; and expedite the revision of salaries under the Tenure Track System (TTS).

Central President Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA) Professor Dr Ikhtiar Ghumro, General Secretary Dr Muhammad Mudassar, former President FAPUASA Dr Mazhar Iqbal, and Dr Muzaffar Seharvi apprised Mr Gilani of the severe financial crisis confronting public sector universities and the growing fiscal challenges facing the higher education sector.

FAPUASA informed the Chairman Senate that the recurring grant allocated to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has remained frozen at Rs65 billion for the last nine years, placing universities under serious financial stress and adversely affecting academic operations nationwide.

The delegation highlighted that due to stagnant funding, universities are facing increasing difficulties in meeting salary obligations, pension liabilities, and rising utility expenditures.

As a result, the educational future of nearly three million students, particularly those belonging to low and middle-income families, have come under significant pressure.

The delegation further noted that public expenditure on higher education in Pakistan has declined from 0.16 per cent of GDP to only 0.06 per cent. The delegation explained that the Tenure Track System, introduced in 2007 to promote research and academic excellence in public universities, has witnessed only three salary revisions over the past nineteen years, with the last revision taking place in 2021.

At present, TTS salaries have fallen below comparable regular faculty packages and do not provide pension or post-retirement benefits.

Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani directed the relevant authorities to ensure progress on proposals concerning increased higher education funding, tax rebates for researchers, and approval and implementation of the summary relating to revision of TTS salaries in order to address the challenges faced by university faculty.

Expressing deep concern over the deteriorating state of higher education infrastructure and funding constraints at both federal and provincial levels, the chairman Senate assured the delegation of his full support.

He also directed Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, to examine these critical financial matters and explore the possibility of incorporating them into the upcoming Federal Budget, with the objective of safeguarding the nation’s intellectual and educational future.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2026