CM approves bailout package for UoB

Bailout package to pay salaries of university employees and resolve other financial issues

QUETTA:

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo on Friday approved the release of a bailout package of Rs300 million for the University of Balochistan (UoB).

The CM approved the release of the funds for the university in the aftermath of repeated protests and appeals of the university administration.

He made this approval about the release of the bailout package based on the summary sent by the Higher Education Department (HEC).

Students and faculty members especially the Academic Staff Association had staged protest demonstrations against financial crisis in the province's oldest university.

The purpose of issuing the bailout package was to pay the salaries of the university employees and to resolve other financial issues of the varsity immediately.

Despite the financial problems faced by the provincial government, the chief minister gave priority to resolving the problems of higher education, a well-placed official at the chief minister secretariat told The Express Tribune.

He said the Chief Minister Mir Quddus Bizenjo had taken personal notice of the financial crisis in the university and directed the concerned quarters to step up efforts for the release of funds.

"This oldest university continues to face financial problems despite the best efforts," Dr Kaleemullah Bareech, the central office-bearer of the academic staff association said. 

He welcomed the release of the funds by the provincial government.

Nevertheless, he said the provincial government should find a permanent solution to the financial issues faced by the university administration with regard to the growing expenditures and salareis of the employees.

“We want permanent solutions to this problem because the university is unable to pay its employees on time,” he added.