PESHAWAR, Sept 10: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will observe partial strike in all public sector universities from Sept 15 for non-implementation of the decision of 50 per cent increase in the salaries of universities’ employees.

During the strike the employee will wear black bands and boycott teaching and office work for one hour i.e. 11am to 12 noon daily commencing immediately after opening of the universities.

This decision was taken in the general body meeting of FAPUASA held at Agriculture University with its president Prof Dr Fidda Mohammad here the other day. It expressed deep concern and dismay over the suspension of 50 per cent increase in salaries allegedly on the directives of the chancellor.

It came down hard on Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Chancellor Owais Ahmed Ghani for blocking the increase in salaries of public sector university employees across the province.

The meeting was also attended by the president and general secretaries of Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan, Kohat University, University of Peshawar, University Engineering and Technology, Islamia College University and Agricultural University, Peshawar.

During the meeting, the participants said that this increase in salaries was being paid to university employees in other three provinces as well as in Islamabad and none of the chancellors of other provinces had issued directives to suspend the increase made on the orders of the federal government.

They appealed to the chief justice of Pakistan to take suo motu notice of this ‘unjust and discriminatory’ policy of the governor, which was leading to chaos and law and order situation in the educational institutions.

A joint resolution was unanimously adopted wherein the prime minister, governor and Higher Education Commission, Islamabad were requested to ensure prompt payment of 50 per cent increase in their salaries in all public sector universities to diffuse the increasing tension and distress among the employees.

If the increase in salaries was not paid on immediately, other options of protests will be explored in a meeting to be held on Sept 18, the resolution said.