PESHAWAR
The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUSA), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chapter, has rejected the proposed amendments to the KP Universities Act 2012, stating that government interference would undermine the educational and research capacity of universities, transforming them into administratively controlled institutions, which they termed unacceptable.
In a joint statement issued here on Monday, FAPUSA Provincial Chapter President Prof Humayun Khan and General Secretary Dr Farmanullah, said the government’s attempt to limit academic autonomy of universities could lead to widespread protests and strikes across the province.
The statement categorically criticized the proposed amendments, describing them as an attempt to curtail the independence of universities and increase bureaucratic interference.
FAPUSA highlighted the negligence of the KP government in supporting higher education, contrasting its underfunding with allocations in other provinces. While the Sindh government has allocated Rs 35 billion, Punjab Rs 18 billion, and Balochistan Rs 6 billion for their respective higher education sectors, the KP government has failed to allocate sufficient funds for its 34 public universities.
FAPUSA has called for the immediate withdrawal of the proposed amendments and urged the government to allocate adequate funds for universities, establish a Provincial Higher Education Commission, safeguard the autonomy of educational institutions, and take urgent measures to address the growing education crisis in the province.
The association warned that failure to meet these demands would result in strikes and protests by teachers, staff, and students, who will take to the streets to protect their rights and academic freedom.
It may be pertinent to mention here that the provincial cabinet had approved amendments to the KP Universities Act, 2012, which will be presented in the Provincial Assembly for consideration.
Under the proposed changes, the Chief Minister would serve as the Chancellor of public universities, replacing the Governor.
Additionally, Vice Chancellors’ tenures would be extended from the current three years to four years, subject to a mid-tenure review by a Performance Evaluation Committee appointed by the government.
