A high-level delegation from the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA), led by its President Professor Dr. Ikhtiar Ghumro, called on Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani to discuss the financial crisis confronting public sector universities and the growing fiscal challenges facing the higher education sector.
The delegation included FAPUASA General Secretary Dr. Muhammad Mudassar, former President Dr. Mazhar Iqbal, and Dr. Muzaffar Seharvi. They presented a detailed briefing on the financial and administrative difficulties being faced by public universities across the country, according to a statement issued by the Senate Secretariat.
HEC Grant Frozen for Nine Years
FAPUASA informed the chairman Senate that the recurring grant allocated to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has remained frozen at Rs 65 billion for the last nine years, placing universities under serious financial stress and adversely affecting academic operations nationwide. The delegation highlighted that due to stagnant funding, universities were facing increasing difficulties in meeting salary obligations, pension liabilities and rising utility expenditures.
“As a result, the educational future of nearly three million students—particularly those belonging to low- and middle-income families—has come under significant pressure,” the delegation noted. They further noted that public expenditure on higher education in Pakistan has declined from 0.16 per cent of GDP to only 0.06 per cent.
Demands for Increased Funding
FAPUASA urged the government to increase the HEC recurring grant to at least Rs 130 billion in the proposed federal budget 2026–27, fully restore Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) allocations, establish a National Pension Support Fund for universities, reinstate tax incentives and research allowances for faculty members, and expedite the revision of salaries under the Tenure Track System (TTS).
The delegation explained that the TTS, introduced in 2007 to promote research and academic excellence in public universities, had witnessed only three salary revisions over the past 19 years, with the last revision taking place in 2021. At present, TTS salaries have fallen below comparable regular faculty packages and do not provide pension or post-retirement benefits, they said.
The delegation also referred to the recommendations of the Prime Minister’s Task Force, which proposed a review of TTS salaries in consultation with HEC, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Finance.
Senate Chairman’s Response
Responding to the concerns raised, Senate Chairman Gilani directed the relevant authorities to ensure progress on proposals concerning increased higher education funding, tax rebates for researchers, and approval and implementation of the summary relating to revision of TTS salaries to address the challenges faced by university faculty.
Expressing deep concern over the deteriorating state of higher education infrastructure and funding constraints at both federal and provincial levels, Senator Gilani assured the delegation of his full support. He directed Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue Chairman Senator Saleem Mandviwalla to examine these “critical” financial matters and explore the possibility of incorporating them into the proposed federal budget, with “the objective of safeguarding the nation’s intellectual and educational future”.
