Protesting FUAST teachers lock administration block

Tension mounts over non-payment of salaries with approved increment

KARACHI:

The issue of salaries not being paid with the approved increments at Federal Urdu University of Arts Science and Technology (FUAST), Karachi, went beyond the control of the administration as teachers on Monday gathered at the Gulshan-e-Iqbal Science Campus and locked the administration block. They also stopped Vice Chancellor Dr Zabta Khan Shinwari from entering the administration building and his office. When the VC attempted to unlock the building by breaking the lock with a brick, female teachers intervened and refrained him from doing so. Teachers also chanted slogans against the chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) after the report that the decisions of the Selection Board might be cancelled.

Police contingents of the relevant police station reached the scene but were unable to unlock the administration block until 1:30pm.

However, after negotiations and the administration's assurance about paying salaries along with the approved allowance, the administration block was opened. According to the teachers, employees at the Islamabad campus received their July and August salaries with the approved increments, but teachers of Karachi's two campuses - Gulshan and Lyari - were being deprived of the salary increases.

Meanwhile, the teachers have also called for the immediate intervention of the Federal Minister for Education in this matter. The faculty of both Karachi campuses announced they would continue their boycott of teaching activities and their protest would continue until the retired employees' three-month pension, seven-month housing allowance, and two months' salaries with the increments are paid.