Budget boost urged for universities

FAPUASA says provinces directed to establish their own Higher Education Commissions under 18th Amendment

PESHAWAR:

The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) has written a letter to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, urging the allocation of a reasonable budget for universities and the establishment of a provincial Higher Education Commission.

In the letter, FAPUASA highlighted that the provinces were directed to establish their own Higher Education Commissions following the 18th Amendment. However, despite the passage of 14 years, the K-P government has yet to establish a provincial HEC.

FAPUASA has called for a budget allocation of Rs50 billion to help universities overcome their fiscal deficits, exacerbated by the federal government’s cessation of funds to universities in K-P, leading to a severe financial crisis.

The letter stresses that it is the provincial government’s responsibility to address the financial shortfalls of universities.

FAPUASA has sent similar letters to the chief ministers of all provinces regarding federal budget cuts and the need for adequate budget allocations for universities.

Earlier, letters were also sent to the prime minister and the finance minister, emphasizing the necessity of allocating at least Rs500 billion in the federal budget for universities.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2024.