University of Peshawar Employees Launch Protest over Nonpayment of Salaries and Pensions

The employees of the University of Peshawar, the largest public sector university in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have launched a protest over the nonpayment of salaries and pensions for the months of June and July. The protest, led by the Joint Action Committee, a joint body of teachers, administrative officers, and low-ranking employees, will include a sit-in outside the office of the vice-chancellor and a halt to all examination and administrative activities if salaries are not released after three days. The employees are seeking Rs220 million to pay monthly salaries and Rs140 million for monthly pensions.

Key Takeaways:

• The University of Peshawar employees are protesting over nonpayment of salaries and pensions for June and July, with a sit-in outside the office of the vice-chancellor and a halt to examination and administrative activities.
• The Joint Action Committee has decided to launch the protest, with Prof Zakirullah, the president of Puta, stating that the protest will extend to other departments of the university and its nature will change if salaries are not released after three days.
• The university requires Rs220 million to pay monthly salaries and Rs140 million for monthly pensions for former employees.
• The KP government has allocated only Rs10 billion for universities, with Rs4.4 billion left for other activities of 34 universities in the province.
• The employees are facing financial problems, including unpaid electricity bills and school fees for their children, and are living in rented houses outside the university.
• The university administration is unable to pay salaries and pensions due to lack of funds, with Prof Zakir stating that the provincial government has ignored the historic university.

Statistics:

• Rs220 million required to pay monthly salaries to employees
• Rs140 million required for monthly pensions to former employees
• Rs42 billion allocated by the Sindh government for financial stability of its universities
• Rs35 billion allocated by the Punjab government for universities
• Rs8 billion allocated by the Balochistan government for universities
• Rs10 billion allocated by the KP government for universities, with Rs2 billion for construction and Rs3.6 billion for pensions
• 234 houses for university employees, with half in dilapidated conditions
• Employees have not paid electricity bills for the last two months

Sources:

• Prof Zakirullah, President of Peshawar University Teachers Association (Puta)
• A senior faculty member of University of Peshawar
• Dawn newspaper
• University of Peshawar
• KP government