University Teachers to Mark Black Day Following Government's Reduction of HEC Budget
The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) has announced a protest day on May 30 (Thursday) at all universities across the country. This protest is in response to the government cutting the budget for the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
The government has reduced the HEC’s budget for the 2024-25 financial year from Rs65 billion to Rs25 billion. This means that funds will only be available for universities in the federal area, leaving out provincial universities that were previously included. The HEC originally requested Rs126 billion for over 160 public universities.
FAPUASA’s executive council, led by President Dr. Amjad Abbas Magsi and General Secretary Dr. Muhammad Uzair, held an emergency meeting to discuss the government’s decision. They unanimously rejected it, saying it would severely harm the struggling higher education sector.
The council decided to observe a black day on May 30 in all universities and directed academic staff associations to hold meetings and gather support. FAPUASA also plans to hold a sit-in in Islamabad to demand the restoration of the HEC budget.
FAPUASA leaders criticized the government’s decision, calling it unconstitutional and harmful to higher education. They emphasized the need for budget decisions to go before the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and urged the government to allocate funds based on provincial shares.
The federation also criticized the government’s focus on development projects over addressing urgent issues like the measles outbreak. They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the budget cut and an increase in the higher education budget to Rs500 billion in the upcoming federal budget, warning that failing to do so could lead to the closure of universities nationwide.
The Vice Chancellors Committee also urged the government to continue supporting universities and requested provincial governments to contribute to university budgets. An emergency meeting chaired by UAF VC Dr. Iqrar Ahmed Khan highlighted the severe impact of the budget cuts on the future of higher education and the financial survival of universities.
HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed and HEC Executive Director Dr. Ziaul Qayyum stated that the commission would appeal to the finance ministry for reconsideration. They stressed that budget cuts undermine decades of investment in higher education and efforts for national integration through youth development.
