At long last: FATA ad hoc lecturers to finally obtain salaries

PHC directs law dept to release their pay before Eid holidays

PESHAWAR: Ad hoc lecturers in the tribal belt ended their sit-in on Wednesday after around 50 days when the Peshawar High Court directed the provincial government to release their salary for a year before Eid holidays begin.

An official in K-P Higher Education department told The Express Tribune, the law department was reluctant to release salaries of these teachers until their case was cleared by the high court.

The chief secretary took action on the prolonged protest of these lecturers and asked the finance and law department for their report.  As a result, the high court directed the relevant department on Wednesday to release their salary for one year before Eid.

Rejoicing



Speaking to The Express Tribune, FATA Ad hoc Lecturers Association President Afsar Khan said the lecturers working on an ad hoc basis were appointed in 2011 by the provincial government.

“They were appointed under the Public Service Commission,” Afsar said.

He added they have been working in dangerous areas of Fata on deputation without a deputation allowance.

According to Afsar, the salaries of 213 male and female lecturers working on an ad hoc basis in different colleges of Fata were withheld since September 2015. As a result, they took to the streets and set up a camp. However, he was pleased that the high court had directed the relevant department to release their salaries before Eid holidays begin. Afsar also lauded the courage and patience of the lecturers who participated in the protest in the scorching heat.

He announced the end of their sit-on and pressed the relevant department to follow the court’s orders so that their salaries are with immediate effect.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2016.