KARACHI (Staff Reporter)
The faculty members of the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST) staged a massive protest demonstration outside the Press Club against the non-payment of salaries, pensions, medical allowances, house ceiling, and other outstanding dues. The protesters also attempted to march towards the Governor House to register their grievances.
Prolonged Non-Payment of Dues
During the demonstration, the teachers lamented that the university administration has been withholding their legitimate financial rights for a long period. Providing further details, the faculty members stated that:
- House ceiling has not been paid at the university for the past 26 months.
- Teachers and employees have been deprived of their pensions for the last 4 months.
- Salaries and arrears for the past 2 months remain unpaid, pushing the faculty into a severe financial crisis.
Serious Allegations of Harassment Against the VC
The protesting teachers expressed immense anger and resentment against the conduct of the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. Zabta Khan Shinwari. The faculty alleged that they are being harassed simply for demanding their rightful dues. They claimed that the Vice Chancellor is issuing legal notices demanding millions of rupees in damages to teachers who ask for their salaries, while female faculty members are also being continuously harassed and distressed.
Appeals for Immediate Intervention from Higher Authorities
Expressing deep disappointment, the protestors appealed to the federal government and relevant authorities to intervene. The teachers strongly demanded that the Chancellor of the University and President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, Pro-Chancellor Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr. Niaz Akhtar take immediate notice of these severe financial and administrative crises plaguing the Federal Urdu University and resolve the legitimate demands of the faculty.