Islamabad:Teachers marked Thursday as black day here, staging street protests against the Federal Board of Revenue for abolishing the 25 per cent income tax exemption previously provided to full-time teachers and researchers.
They complained that at a time when they're struggling with rising inflation, stagnant wages and increased taxes, the move, which directly contradicted the budget approved by the National Assembly, had further burdened them. The protesters warned if their demands were not met, they would hold larger demonstrations. They announced a protest sit-in in front of the Parliament building on February 10.
The rallies were organised by teacher associations, including Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association, Federal Government College Teachers Association, and the Central Academic Staff Association of Model Colleges, along with multiple university, college, and school associations. Protesters denounced the FBR's decision, demanding its immediate reversal and urging the government to uphold the commitments made in the federal budget. One of the largest protests was organised by the FGCTA at Islamabad Model Postgraduate College H-8, where a large number of teachers gathered to mark the day as black day.
Demonstrators carried placards and chanted slogans against the FBR’s decision, expressing frustration over the abrupt withdrawal of the tax rebate. Danish Yaseen of FGCTA criticised the FBR's unilateral decision, saying tax exemption, announced by the federal finance minister in his budget speech, was officially part of the Income Tax Manual but the revenue board has unilaterally overturned it in the middle of the financial year.
"This move not only disregards the financial struggles of teachers but also violates the authority of the National Assembly,” he said. Danish also said that teachers around the world receive financial incentives, while in Pakistan, those benefits were being gradually withdrawn. He added that the FBR's move would demotivate teachers, ultimately harming the quality of education in the country.
Alongside the FGCTA-led rally, similar protests were held at numerous educational institutions in Islamabad. Teachers and staff from Islamabad Model Colleges, COMSATS University, Quaid-i-Azam University, and various other institutions took to the streets, demanding justice. Among the colleges that actively participated in the protests were Islamabad Model College for Girls (IMCG) G-10/2, Islamabad Model College for Boys (IMCB) G-11/1, IMCB F-8/4, IMCB I-10/1, IMCB F-7/3, Islamabad College for Girls F-6/2, Islamabad College for Boys G-6/3, IMCB Sihala, IMCG I-8/3, IMCG F-10/2, IMCG Humak, IMCG F-11/3, Federal College of Education H-9, and IMCB F-10/3. Similar demonstrations were also reported in universities and colleges in other cities, where teachers voiced their grievances against the financial stress caused by higher taxation.
Coordinator of the All Pakistan Teachers Alliance Dr Rahima Rehman flayed the abolition of tax exemption as an attack on the financial security of teachers.
“The tax reduction for teachers was initially 75 per cent, then it was cut to 40 per cent, later reduced to 25 per cent, and now it has been entirely abolished. At the same time, income tax rates on government employees, including teachers, have been significantly increased. This has further eroded our real wages amid soaring inflation,” she told protesters. Dr Rahima emphasised that teachers played a crucial role in nation-building, yet the government, instead of providing incentives to them, was making teaching a financially unviable profession. She urged authorities to reinstate tax relief for teachers to prevent further brain drain from the education sector.
This image shows an array of colourful flowers on display in a park. — APP/File Islamabad:The Islamabad Capital...
The building of Islamabad Model College For Girls can be seen in this image. — Facebook@Islamabad Model College For...
President IDA Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan looks on in this image. — Facebook@Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan/FileIslamabad:A...
Motorists ride towards the Srinagar Highway during heavy rainfall in Islamabad on June 25, 2023. —...
Participants pose for a photo during a ceremony after completing the Forensic Awareness Course on February 20, 2025....
This representational image shows a handcuffed person. — Pexels/FileIslamabad:The Federal Investigation Agency has...