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Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Researchers & teachers: FAPUASA, PUASA condemn govt's decision to revoke tax rebate
LAHORE: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) Punjab Chapter and the Punjab University Academic Staff Association (PUASA) held a joint press conference at the University Club Committee Room on Monday strongly condemning the federal government's decision to revoke the longstanding tax rebate for researchers and teachers. The associations called upon Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to immediately increase budgetary allocations for the province's universities to mitigate the financial crisis in higher education. The press conference was chaired by PU ASA President and former FAPUASA President Prof Dr Amjad Abbas Khan Magsi. Other prominent attendees included FAPUASA Balochistan President Prof Dr Kaleem Ullah Bareach, FAPUASA Punjab President and PU ASA Secretary Dr Muhammad Islam, PU ASA Vice President Dr Ghalib Atta, and GCU ASA President Prof Dr Noman Aftab. The academic leaders expressed deep concern over the inadequate funding and tax-related challenges faced by Punjab's universities. Dr Amjad Magsi highlighted the disparity in financial support, stating that Punjab, despite being the largest province with 51 universities, has been allocated only Rs18 billion as a recurring grant. In contrast, Sindh, with 32 universities, receives more than double that amount at Rs42 billion. The speakers demanded an urgent revision of the recurring grants for Punjab's public sector universities to ensure equitable resource distribution. The tax rebate, initially introduced at 75% during General Musharraf's government in 2006 to encourage research and retain academic talent, was reduced to 40% by the PML-N government in 2013. Now, the current administration has decided to abolish it entirely, a move that reflects a persistent neglect of the academic community. The rebate was not a privilege but a necessity for university faculty and researchers who often bear out-of-pocket expenses for journal publications, research materials, fieldwork, and academic travel. Its removal is expected to demoralize scholars, reduce research output, and exacerbate brain drain, ultimately undermining Pakistan's academic progress. This decision comes amid a severe financial crisis in higher education. Despite the federal budget expanding from Rs5.9 trillion in 2018 to Rs17.5 trillion in 2025 — a 196% increase — the recurring grant for higher education has remained stagnant at Rs65 billion. Meanwhile, the number of public universities has risen from 126 to 160, with operating costs, salaries, pensions, and utility expenses surging significantly. According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan, the country allocates a mere 0.8% of its GDP to education, with only 0.37% dedicated to higher education in the current fiscal year. This falls drastically short of UNESCO's recommended 4–6% and lags behind regional counterparts like India and Bangladesh. Notably, both PML-N and PPP had pledged in their election manifestos to raise education spending to 4% of GDP but have failed to fulfil this commitment while in power. The academic leaders urged the Punjab government to take immediate action to safeguard the future of higher education in the province, emphasizing that continued neglect would have long-term detrimental effects on research, innovation, and national development. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Varsity employees demand budget hike
The Federation of All Pakistan Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) has demanded and increase in the budgetary allocations for the varsities in Punjab and criticized the federal government's decision to revoke a 25 per cent tax rebate for researchers and teachers. Addressing a press conference at Punjab University, leaders of FAPUASA and the PU Academic Staff Association leaders expressed concern over meagre funding for the universities and the revocation of the tax relief. Former FAPUASA president Dr Amjad Abbas Magsi said that despite being the largest province with the highest number of universities, Punjab government has allocated only Rs18 billion as recurring grant for its 51 universities, while 32 institutions in Sindh have been allocated Rs42 billion. The leaders demanded increase in the allocation of grants for the public sector universities in Punjab. They said 75 per cent income tax rebate introduced in 2006 was aimed at promoting research and academic retention. It was reduced to 40% in 2013 and now the government was abolishing it. They said the rebate was a lifeline for university faculty and researchers who routinely pay out of their pockets for journal publication fees, fieldwork and academic travel. Its abolition will demoralise scholars, reduce research productivity and accelerate the brain drain. The university employees' leaders said that despite the federal budget growing from Rs5.9 trillion in 2018 to Rs17.5 trillion this year, the grant for higher education has remained frozen at Rs65 billion.
Business Recorder
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
FAPUASA for 25pc tax rebate for university teachers & researchers
LAHORE: A delegation from the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA), led by President Prof Dr Mazhar Iqbal, former President Prof Amjad Abbas Magsi, and Central Information Secretary Dr Muhammad Jadoon Khan, participated in a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance. The session, chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, was attended by Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiyani, Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Rashid Mehmood Langrial, and other distinguished committee members. The FAPUASA delegation was invited to present its stance on the federal higher education budget and the continuation of the 25% tax rebate for university teachers and researchers. The representatives argued that this rebate serves as a crucial incentive to retain top academic talent, attract young scholars, and prevent brain drain from Pakistan's universities. They warned that removing this benefit would demotivate academics and weaken the country's research capacity. Additionally, the delegation stressed the need to increase the Higher Education Commission's recurring grant to at least PKR 86 billion, as currently requested by the HEC, and gradually raise it to PKR 200 billion to ensure sustainable funding for higher education. The Senate Standing Committee on Finance acknowledged FAPUASA's concerns and unanimously recommended the approval of their demands. The delegation expressed gratitude to the committee for providing a platform to address academic issues at the parliamentary level. Continuing their advocacy efforts, the FAPUASA delegation held further meetings with key policymakers on the following day. They met with Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) MNA Mir Amir Ali Khan Magsi, presenting their case and seeking his support. Magsi assured the delegation of his full backing and committed to raising their concerns in Parliament. Meanwhile, FAPUASA delegation, comprising Central President Prof Dr Mazhar Iqbal, former President Prof Dr Amjad Abbas Magsi, Islamabad Chapter President Dr Muhammad Iqbal Jatoi, and Central Information Secretary Dr Muhammad Jadoon Khan, engaged in discussions with senior government officials and political leaders. They met with Federal Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Federal Minister for Science and Technology Nawabzada Khalid Hussain Magsi. The delegation also held talks with prominent Pakistan Peoples Party leaders, including Syed Naveed Qamar, Mir Ijaz Khan Jakhrani (Chief Whip, National Assembly), Dr Nafisa Shah, Syed Agha Rafi Ullah, Syed Abrar Hussain Shah, and Pullain Baloch of the National Party, Balochistan. Additionally, they met with MQM representatives Farooq Sattar, Amin-ul-Haq, and Javed Hanif. During these meetings, FAPUASA highlighted the declining state of higher education in Pakistan and called for urgent measures to protect the sector. The delegation reiterated the necessity of maintaining the 25% tax exemption for university faculty and researchers, warning that its abolition would have severe repercussions. They also emphasized the need for increased financial support for higher education institutions to ensure accessibility for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The delegation urged the federal government to raise the recurring budget for higher education to at least PKR 200 billion and commended the Sindh government for its consistent funding of the sector. The parliamentarians endorsed FAPUASA's demands, particularly regarding the tax rebate, and assured the delegation that they would advocate for these issues in Parliament and other relevant forums. The meetings concluded with the FAPUASA delegation thanking the lawmakers for their support in safeguarding Pakistan's higher education system. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
University employees to protest budget cuts
People attend a rally in support of federal workers outside the 26 Federal Plaza, a federal office building in New York City, U.S., March 25, 2025. PHOTO:REUTERS On the call of the central body of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA), employees of all universities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will observe a Black Day today. The protest is being held to condemn the inadequate allocation for higher education in the provincial budget and to highlight other pressing issues. According to a statement by the President of the Universities' Grand Alliance K-P, similar protests will be held in universities across the province. Staff members will wear black armbands as a mark of protest. The Grand Alliance has rejected outright the Rs10 billion budget allocated for 34 public sector universities in the province, calling it insufficient to meet even basic needs. Instead, the alliance has demanded the immediate release of Rs50 billion. They warned that if their demands are not met, a province-wide protest movement will be launched.
Business Recorder
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Public sector universities in Punjab: Concerns raised over escalating financial crisis
LAHORE: An important online meeting of the Federation of All Pakistan University Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) (Punjab Chapter) was convened Wednesday. The session was presided over by Dr. Muhammad Islam and was moderated by the General Secretary, Dr. Riaz Hussain Khan Sindhar. The meeting was attended by the representatives from across the province, including Prof. Dr. Amjad Abbas Khan Magsi (President, Punjab University Academic Staff Association), Dr. Iram Sultana (Executive Member and President, Government College University Faisalabad), Dr. Muhammad Badr Habib (General Secretary, Academic Staff Association, Islamia University Bahawalpur), and Dr. Abdul Rehman (General Secretary). At the outset, participants extended congratulations to the newly elected leadership of the Punjab Chapter of FAPUASA. The participants unanimously voiced serious concerns regarding the escalating financial crisis faced by public sector universities in Punjab and demanded immediate intervention by the provincial and federal governments. The participants strongly urged the Punjab Government to allocate a minimum of Rs. 50 billion to public universities, given that Punjab is the largest province both in population and in the number of higher education institutions. They emphasized that the current financial allocations are grossly inadequate to meet the growing demands of an expanding academic and research ecosystem. It was noted with concern that HEC grants have remained stagnant over the past several years, while universities have experienced substantial increases in faculty strength, student enrolment, and academic activities. These developments have significantly expanded institutional responsibilities, necessitating proportionate funding. The meeting underscored that higher education is not a self-sustaining sector and cannot thrive without sustained government patronage. Investment in universities is not only a prerequisite for national development but also a strategic imperative for national security and global competitiveness. Participants noted that in recent times, Pakistan has demonstrated that through knowledge, innovation, and research, it can overcome formidable challenges and assert itself with dignity. In this context, a forceful appeal was also made to the federal government to substantially increase funding for higher education in the upcoming federal budget. The association stressed that this demand reflects a national responsibility, an obligation to safeguard the country's intellectual and developmental future. Furthermore, the meeting called for an immediate resolution of the long-pending tax rebate issue for university teachers and researchers. The participants demanded that the proposed legislation currently pending before the National Assembly be passed without delay and that the tax rebate for academic professionals be guaranteed in the years to come. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
