LAHORE: Rival groups of teachers and employees at the Punjab University traded allegations on Wednesday over the institution’s finances, governance and academic environment.
A newly-formed Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising representatives of teachers, officers and employees, accused the university administration of financial mismanagement, weak governance and undermining academic and research activities. The committee gave the administration two weeks to accept its demands, warning of protests, a sit-in outside the Punjab Assembly, a white paper and a boycott of classes if no action was taken.
Addressing a press conference, JAC Chairman Sardar Asghar Iqbal, President Chaudhry Basharat, Secretary General Tayyab Ijaz Khan and Convener Dr Kamran Abid alleged that reserve funds of about Rs4.88 billion were encashed within 14 months without approval from the Finance and Planning Committee, while the 2025-26 budget showed a deficit of Rs2.57bn.
They also questioned the transfer of around Rs786 million from departmental accounts under the One-Account Policy and claimed self-supporting programmes recorded a deficit of around Rs350m for the first time.
University spox rejects allegations, defends performance; PUASA distances itself from JAC
The committee further alleged that statutory bodies such as the Senate, Syndicate, Deans’ Committee and Selection Boards had met infrequently, delaying key decisions, while research grants and travel support had virtually stopped.
It demanded a forensic audit of the university’s finances, restoration of statutory bodies, appointment of a registrar through a transparent process, removal of the DG (Students, Estate and Security) from multiple assignments and payment of pending financial dues to employees.
However, the Punjab University Academic Staff Association (PUASA) President Dr Amjad Abbas Magsi, distanced himself from the campaign, saying neither its leadership nor elected Syndicate members had been consulted.
He said the JAC did not represent the collective voice of the teaching community.
He argued that the committee’s claims were contradictory, as it alleged a financial crisis while simultaneously demanding immediate payment of financial benefits.
He said there were several achievements of the current administration, including restoration of Career Performance and Research Incentive Awards after seven years, approval of research projects worth around Rs170m, promotion of more than 100 faculty members and payment of most approved leave encashment claims.
He criticised the JAC for failing to seek a special financial package from the Punjab government and alleged that the campaign was driven by the personal interests of a few individuals.
Meanwhile, the Punjab University administration also released a “Green Paper” outlining its performance over the past two years.
A PU spokesperson said three of the five groups initially associated with the JAC had withdrawn and boycotted the press conference.
The spokesperson alleged that the remaining groups were facing corruption and disciplinary inquiries and were attempting to pressurise the administration to avoid accountability. The allegations could not be independently verified.
The administration claimed annual revenue had increased from Rs7.15bn to Rs12.56bn under Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali, while the budget deficit had fallen from Rs2.86bn to Rs1.67bn through financial discipline.
It also defended the One-Account Policy as a transparency measure and said reforms, including revised rental agreements, solar energy projects and anti-electricity theft measures, had increased revenue and reduced costs.
The university further claimed it had implemented a one-man-one-post policy, introduced rotation of heads of departments, vacated illegally occupied hostels and removed decades-old encroachments from university land.
Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2026