I AM a professor of Urdu and have been serving under the Sindh Education and Literacy Department since Sept 10, 1991. I am presently posted as Professor of Urdu in the Government Degree Science and Commerce College Landhi/Korangi No6, Karachi.

Being physically handicapped (blind), I tried hard to earn my PhD degree in Urdu and was awarded with a PhD allowance of Rs2,250 per month on account of science and technology.

The federal government (notification NoF-1 (9) Imp/2000, dated Sept 22, 2003) increased the rate of my PhD allowance to Rs5000 per month. It was implemented by the University of Karachi vide its notification (np. B/Estt/(T) 2005, dated July 14, 2005).The senate’s Committee for Finance also directed the finance department, Government of Pakistan, and the Higher Education Commission to award Rs5,000 as PhD allowance to all degree-holders. Subsequently, the Federal Cabinet also approved Rs5,000 and a notification was issued by the Government of Sindh (NoFD (SR-III) 5/29/2002, dated 29-05-2009) to increase the PhD degree allowance up to Rs5,000 per month to all PhDs in Social Science with effect from 01-07-2007.

In short, the Federal Government and the Government of Sindh have increased the rate of PhD allowance to Rs5,000 per month to all PhD holders in social science, which has been further increased to Rs7,500 per month from October 1, 2011. But I am constantly being denied this increase and was awarded with only Rs2,250 as PhD allowance. My other colleagues having the same degree in my subject draw Rs7,500 as PhD allowance.

The injustice in my case is beyond any justification and I cannot understand why a handicapped (blind) person like me is being denied his legal right. Being handicapped, I am now fed up with making futile visits to the officials concerned for my due right.

My applications were turned down by the minister finance, minister education, chairman education committee for the senate, chairman of the HEC and chairman of National Assembly education committee and the secretary of the cabinet division.

I request the authorities concerned to look into the matter and facilitate my due right as soon as possible.

PROF (DR) MUMTAZ UMAR Karachi