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Sunday February 23, 2025

Teachers observe Black Day against education policies

By Our Correspondent
January 31, 2025
FAPUASA President Dr Amjad Abbas Khan Magsi (2nd right) addresses a press conference on January 28, 2025. — Screengrab via Facebook@RiazAhmedIS
FAPUASA President Dr Amjad Abbas Khan Magsi (2nd right) addresses a press conference on January 28, 2025. — Screengrab via Facebook@RiazAhmedIS

LAHORE : On the call of Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA), different universities across the country observed Black Day and recorded their protest against ‘anti-education’ policies of the government on different crucial challenges being faced by the higher education sector - abolition of 25pc tax rebate for teachers, government interference in the 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 this regard, the main demonstration was held at the Punjab University, which was led by the FAPUASA President Dr Amjad Abbas Khan Magsi, FAPUASA Punjab Chapter President Dr M Khawar and Central Information Secretary Dr Ahtisham Ali were also present.

Dr Amjad Magsi addressed the protest rally and announced the start of a full-fledged protest movement against the government. He said today the government was continually interfering with the autonomy of the universities, and the decisions made by the Federal and provincial governments were creating frustration and anxiety among the teaching fraternity.

FAPUASA president demanded that the prime minister and the provincial chief ministers come forward to resolve the issues like restoration of a 25pc tax rebate, change in the criteria of vice-chancellors in Sindh, restoration of old leave encashment and pension benefits in Punjab and non-payment of salaries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan otherwise the scope of the protest would be extended and Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association may call for the educational boycott across the country.