PU academic staff delegation meets CM

LAHORE: A delegation of Punjab University Academic Staff Association (PUASA) led by its president Dr Mehboob Hussain called on Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Dr Hasan Askari at his office on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Hasan Askari Rizvi said no nation could progress without giving respect to the teachers. The PUASA presented various proposals for improvement in higher education sector in the province. The teachers demanded that the PhD allowance of teachers be increased to Rs 25,000 and income tax rebate should be reinstated. They also said the use of word “honourable” was just limited to papers only rather teachers should be given preference and respect at public places and they should be facilitated during provision of services.

Dr Askari said he has a long lasting association with Punjab University and added he had started his first job at PU. He said he would restart his intellectual and journalistic activities after fulfilling the responsibilities of free and fair elections. He said ministers of the caretaker cabinet were fully empowered and all governmental matters are being performed with consultations.

The caretaker CM said the ongoing public welfare projects were being funded on priority and the public welfare programmes were being accelerated while remaining within the mandate. Proposals would be extended to next elected government for new public welfare programs, he added.  

Dr Askari said PhD scholars should give particular attention to the aspect of quality because it was very important in higher education. Government, educational institutions, teachers as well as the research scholars should jointly work to improve the quality of education. He also assured that PUASA demands would be considered.