Islamabad, (Parliament Times) : A delegation of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) held a series of important meetings with cabinet members and parliamentarians to discuss critical challenges facing Pakistan’s higher education sector.
The delegation included Central President Prof. Dr. Mazhar Iqbal, former FAPUASA President Prof. Dr. Amjad Abbas Magsi, President of the Islamabad Chapter Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Jatoi, and Central Information Secretary Dr. Muhammad Jadoon Khan.
The delegation met with Federal Minister for Education Mr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and Federal Minister for Science and Technology Nawabzada Khalid Hussain Magsi. In addition, the delegation held discussions with senior leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party, including Syed Naveed Qamar, Mir Ijaz Khan Jakhrani (Chief Whip, National Assembly), Dr. Nafisa Shah, Syed Agha Rafi Ullah (MNA), Syed Abrar Hussain Shah (MNA), and Mr. Pullain Baloch (MNA, National Party, Balochistan).
FAPUASA also met with representatives from MQM, including Mr. Farooq Sattar, Mr. Amin-ul-Haq (MNA), and Mr. Javed Hanif (MNA). During these meetings, the delegation highlighted the deteriorating state of higher education in Pakistan and called for urgent action to safeguard the sector.
The delegation emphasized the importance of retaining the 25% tax exemption currently available to university teachers and researchers, stressing that its withdrawal would have serious negative consequences for the academic community. They also underscored the dire need for increased financial support for higher education institutions, particularly to ensure accessibility and affordability for students from underprivileged backgrounds.
FAPUASA demanded that the federal government raise the recurring budget for higher education to at least PKR 200 billion. The delegation also appreciated the consistent support of the Sindh government in allocating funds for the higher education sector.
The parliamentarians endorsed FAPUASA’s demands, particularly the continuation of the tax rebate, and assured the delegation that they would take up these issues in Parliament and at other relevant government forums. The meetings concluded with a vote of thanks by the FAPUASA delegation, expressing gratitude for the lawmakers’ support for Pakistan’s higher education system.