HYDERABAD: The Mehran University Teachers Association (MUTA) has strongly criticized the federal budget for what it perceives as a disregard for the financial needs of higher education institutions across the country. In a statement issued on Monday, MUTA's president Dr. Nafees Ahmed Memon and general secretary Dr. Arshad Memon warned the government of launching a protest movement if their budgetary demands are not incorporated into the budget for fiscal year 2026-27.
Demand for Doubling HEC Recurring Grant
The association called for doubling the proposed outlay of Rs66.4 billion to Rs130 billion under the recurring grant allocated to the Higher Education Commission (HEC). They highlighted that the HEC itself had initially submitted a proposal for a Rs138 billion grant but later settled for a minimum of Rs100 billion.
Call for Increased Education Spending
MUTA leaders urged the government to commit to raising educational expenditures to at least 4% of the gross domestic product (GDP) over the next five years. They pointed out that South Asian countries such as Bhutan and Maldives are currently spending 5.8% and 5.2% of their GDPs, respectively, on education.
Other Demands
- Restoration of the 75% tax rebate for university teachers and researchers, which was reduced in 2013 and subsequently abolished in 2025.
- Notification of salary revision under the Tenure Track System (TTS).
- Implementation of a uniform promotion policy for basic pay scale (BPS) employees.
Dr. Memon referred to economic data indicating that inflation and currency depreciation have reduced the real value of the HEC's recurring grant by nearly half. The association warned that failure to address these demands would lead to a protest movement.
