Universities in Sindh suspend classes for Monday and Tuesday

The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association demands the reversal of govt decisions.

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The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) Sindh Chapter has announced the continuation of its strike in Sindh's public universities on Monday and Tuesday, demanding the reversal of government decisions, Express News reported on Sunday.

The protest, which has led to the suspension of academic activities, will persist until the government's decisions are reconsidered.

FAPUASA Sindh has raised several demands, including the withdrawal of proposed amendments to the Universities Act regarding the appointment of Vice Chancellors. The association has also called for an end to the hiring of faculty members on contract.

According to Abdul Rahman Nungraj, the General Secretary of FAPUASA Sindh, the responsibility for any disruption in students’ education during the protest will fall on the government.

He expressed deep concern about the critical issues facing Sindh's public universities and the ineffective government policies that have severely impacted the higher education system. "The state of higher education, which is the foundation for a nation's development, is in a very deteriorated condition," he said.

In the meantime, FAPUASA Sindh will hold an online meeting on January 20 to discuss the ongoing matters and formulate a strategy for future action.

The association has appealed to teachers, students, political leaders, civil society members, and journalists to join them in this struggle. "This is not just a fight for the rights of teachers but a battle for the preservation of higher education in Sindh," Nungraj emphasised.

The Sindh chapter of FAPUASA also expressed concerns over the proposed amendments that attack university autonomy as the association warned that bureaucrats, lacking experience in teaching or research, would be unsuitable leaders for universities, leading to a decline in educational standards and research activities.

"These amendments will bring universities under bureaucratic control, which will adversely affect the quality of education and research," Nungraj said.

The issue of hiring teachers on contract also remains a primary concern. FAPUASA Sindh believes that hiring on a contract basis will destabilise the academic system, and the issue of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) will further complicate the situation.

The declaration of approved PhD programs under the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Islamabad as illegal has raised serious concerns among academic staff.

FAPUASA Sindh emphasised that these developments pose a direct threat to the future of students and will undermine universities' research capacities. Furthermore, Sindh's public universities are already grappling with severe financial crises, which are further hampering teaching and research activities.

FAPUASA Sindh's demands include the immediate restoration of university autonomy, a clear policy for the appointment of permanent teaching staff, the return of NOC powers to Vice Chancellors, and the allocation of financial resources to resolve the issues facing universities.