FAPUASA to observe countrywide black day tomorrow

Islamabad:Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA) has announced a Black Day tomorrow (Thursday) to highlight different crucial challenges being faced by the higher education sector including abolition of 25% tax rebate for teachers, government interference in autonomy of universities, change in the criteria of appointment of vice-chancellors in universities of Sindh, changes in pension rules in Punjab and non-payment of salaries in universities of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

In an emergency press conference at Islamabad Press Club, FAPUASA’s President Dr Amjad Abbas Magsi, Vice President, Dr Mazhar Iqbal, General Secretary Dr Muhammad Uzair and its Islamabad Chapter President Dr Iqbal Jatoi urged the authorities to revoke uncalled for steps.

President Dr Magsi termed the abolition of 25% tax exemption given by FBR to teachers and researchers as a violation of the sanctity of the Parliament. Keeping in view that the retaining of the 25% tax rebate which originally was 75 and suddenly revoked by FBR unilaterally directly contradicts the directives of the National Assembly and undermines the authority of the Parliament.

He lamented that FBR is not even implementing the decisions of the Federal Tax Ombudsperson latest being in this month in favour of teachers. He said that the President of Pakistan already rejected the presentation of FBR in this regard and even Peshawar High Court decided in favour of Peshawar University Teachers in March 2024. FAPUASA President demanded the Prime Minister of Pakistan to announce the withdrawal of unconstitutional and illegal letters issued by the FBR and order them to stop immediate tax deductions.

The FAPUASA President announced full support to its Sindh Chapter protesting against changing the criteria to appoint bureaucrats as vice-chancellors in Sindh universities. FAPUASA leadership demanded the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and the Chairperson of Pakistan People's Party Bilawal Bhutto to adhere to democratic values and find an immediate.

The General Secretary Dr Uzair strongly condemned the violations of the Universities Act in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by the PTI government. He asked the KPK government to end political and government interference in universities and allow universities to run according to their Acts.

FAPUASA also demanded the Balochistan government and the Higher Education Commission to take immediate practical steps to resolve the issue of salaries and stop interfering in the autonomy and acts of universities.

FAPUASA announced to observe Black Day in universities across Pakistan on Thursday and will also participate in the protest by All Government Employees Grand Alliance and Punjab Professors and Lecturers Association in front of the Parliament House in Islamabad on Feb 11.