PESHAWAR — The University of Peshawar has been facing a severe financial and administrative crisis for the past 10 to 12 years, raising serious concerns among faculty members, according to the Peshawar University Teachers Association (PUTA).
Speaking to the media, PUTA President Zakir Ullah Jan said delays in salaries and pensions have become routine at the university. He noted that February salaries were released three days late and claimed that no retired employee has received pension payments over the past year.
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Funding shortages and salary concerns
Dr. Zakir Ullah Jan said federal grants to the university have been frozen, while the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also failed to provide adequate financial support. He added that despite having 34 public sector universities, the province’s overall allocation for higher education remains extremely low.
He warned that, given the current situation, the university may struggle to pay salaries over the next three months.
According to PUTA, tax deductions collected by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) are being used to meet salary expenses, reflecting the depth of the financial crisis. Dr. Jan also pointed to what he described as a broader administrative breakdown at the institution.
Over-enrolment and stalled promotions
PUTA said student enrolment at the University of Peshawar significantly exceeds standards set by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), placing additional strain on limited resources.
Dr. Zakir Ullah Jan said many PhD-qualified faculty members have been waiting 15 to 20 years for promotions. He added that the university administration has attributed the delays to the non-issuance of a no-objection certificate (NOC) by the government.
He also criticised what he termed discriminatory treatment of the University of Peshawar by the provincial government and expressed concern over the growing reliance on visiting faculty. “Running a public university through visiting teachers undermines the system,” he said.
Threat of boycott and strike
Dr. Jan warned that if the Selection Board meeting is not convened within three days, PUTA would announce a complete boycott.
Meanwhile, former PUTA President Uzair accused the provincial government of persistent interference in university affairs. He said that when faculty members demand funding, authorities cite university autonomy.
Dr. Uzair announced that a complete strike would begin from Monday, with no classes or academic activities, unless long-pending promotion cases are addressed through an immediate Selection Board meeting.
He further claimed that the provincial government has allocated only Rs 10 billion for all 34 public sector universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing the amount as grossly insufficient to meet operational needs.
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