The Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST) in Karachi is engulfed in a deepening crisis, with teaching and non-teaching staff locked in a bitter standoff over unpaid salaries, exam boycotts, and a controversial proposal to relocate the central headquarters to Islamabad.
Faculty Protests and Examination Boycott
Faculty members have continued their protest and examination boycott across approximately 34 out of 38 departments over financial grievances. The boycott has disrupted academic activities, leaving students uncertain about their examinations and academic progress.
Teachers allege that despite repeated negotiation attempts, the administration has failed to address their demands, which include unpaid house allowance for 20 months, restoration of medical facilities, and pension payments for retirees. The faculty remains steadfast in their refusal to back down until their grievances are resolved.
Non-Teaching Staff Rally for Stability
In contrast, non-teaching employees took out a 'Day of Stability' rally at the Gulshan-e-Iqbal campus in support of Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zabta Khan Shinwari. The rally, led by Employees' Union President Adnan Akhtar, started from the Abdul Qadir Auditorium and concluded at the New Academic Block, where participants raised slogans for the university's stability and autonomy.
Akhtar told The Express Tribune that the recent turmoil had damaged the institution's reputation. "Negotiations were ongoing between faculty and administration, but certain incidents created tension," he said. He also warned that the proposed relocation of the central secretariat to Islamabad would severely affect the two Karachi campuses, where the majority of students and staff are based.
Financial and Infrastructure Woes
Akhtar revealed that staff had not been paid salaries for two months, while house allowance had been outstanding for nearly 20 months. Medical facilities remain suspended, and basic infrastructure issues persist, including dilapidated buildings, unusable washrooms, lack of clean drinking water, and inadequate transport for students.
He called on the federal education ministry, Higher Education Commission (HEC), and other bodies to provide immediate financial support, saying the university's financial deficit has been mounting for years. The university administration has not issued an official statement addressing the demands or the proposed relocation.
Impact on Students and Staff
The ongoing standoff has created a tense atmosphere on campus, with students caught in the crossfire. The examination boycott has left thousands of students in limbo, while the lack of basic amenities affects daily life. The proposed relocation threatens to further marginalize the Karachi campuses, which house the bulk of the university's population.
The crisis highlights systemic issues in higher education funding in Pakistan, with FUUAST being one of several public universities facing financial shortfalls. Without immediate intervention from federal authorities, the situation may deteriorate further, impacting the quality of education and the livelihoods of staff and faculty.
