HEC: Protest against freezing of funds

FAISALABAD: The Academic Staff Association (ASA) of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, and other administrative staff took out a protest rally on Wednesday against the federal government for freezing funds allocated for the Higher Education Commission (HEC). The protesters chanted slogans against the government and demanded restoration of funds. They marched towards the main gate of the university and demonstrated against the non-provision of resources to the HEC. Addressing the protesters, UAF ASA President Dr Munir Ahmad Sheikh warned that the teaching and administrative staff would continue protest and boycott classes from July if their demands were not met.  He said it was impossible to pay the salaries worth Rs90 million to the employees and Rs20 million worth pensions and utilities. ASA General Secretary Rana Amir Saeed Khan, however, said that the protesters will remain peaceful and raise their voices in a “civilised manner”. He reiterated the demand of immediately release the funds to HEC and restore the autonomous status of HEC.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2012.