DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the University of Peshawar has expressed grave concern over the continued neglect of public universities by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and has demanded that a minimum of Rs50 billion be allocated for higher education in the provincial budget for 2025–26.
In an emergency meeting chaired by JAC President Dr. Zakirullah Jan, and attended by the presidents and general secretaries of Class III, IV, and Centenary Staff Associations, the committee warned that if their demands were not met, a province-wide protest movement will be launched.
JAC leaders stated that under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, it is the provincial government’s responsibility to ensure proper funding for higher education.
“While provinces like Punjab and Sindh are fulfilling this responsibility, the KP government continues to neglect it,” they said.
They highlighted that public universities across the province are facing a severe financial crisis. “Delayed salaries and pensions, halted research and academic projects, and declining educational standards have become the norm,” the committee stated.
The JAC also urged newly appointed vice chancellors to raise their voices and demand sufficient funding from the government. “Their continued silence is not only disappointing but poses a serious risk to the future of higher education in KP,” said Dr. Zakirullah Jan.
He further declared, “We will not remain silent spectators while our institutions crumble. The time for decisive action is now—and the ball is in the court of the provincial government.”
