Islamabad, April 24, 2025 — The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) held a meeting with Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed and his team at the Commission’s Secretariat on Thursday, to deliberate on pressing issues confronting higher education institutions across the country.
Representing FAPUASA were Dr. Amjad Abbas Magsi (President), Dr. Muhammad Uzair (General Secretary), and Dr. Mazhar Iqbal (Vice President), accompanied by other representatives of FAPUASA including representation of its regional chapters.
The dialogue commenced with a critical discussion on funding of the higher education sector. FAPUASA representatives urged the government to significantly enhance allocations for higher education in the upcoming federal budget, citing the cumulative impact of inflation, stagnation in funding, and increasing operational demands.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed clarified that there have been no direct cuts to university grants and attributed budgetary fluctuations primarily to staffing changes within the Tenure Track System (TTS). Ms. Samina Durrani, Director (Finance) HEC elaborated on the budgeting approach, stating that while some reallocations had been necessitated by inflation, essential services and salary disbursements were adequately safeguarded.
FAPUASA also reiterated long-standing concerns regarding service structure framework for faculty on the Basic Pay Scale (BPS), and recommended a further extension in the deferment of the requirement of post-PhD experience for appointments as Associate Professors and Professors. The Chairman HEC said that HEC is in the process of formulating a unified service structure for faculty members, with clearly defined performance agreements and evaluation mechanisms.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed advocated for rationalization of university academic and administrative structures, proposing the consolidation of redundant departments and underperforming campuses to improve efficiency. He emphasized the need for prudent utilization of public funds and greater institutional accountability. Director Finance HEC further elaborated the importance of enhanced transparency and cost optimization in university’s financial practices.
Concerns regarding the autonomy and functioning of Centers of Excellence were also discussed. FAPUASA representatives highlighted structural and administrative challenges faced by the faculty affiliated with these centers, including limitations in career progression and restricted access to host university facilities. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed informed that HEC is pursuing legislative reforms to integrate these centers more effectively into university frameworks and has already proposed a 50% increase in their funding to provincial authorities.
The session also addressed academic integrity, particularly the implementation of the semester system and the unchecked authority in student evaluation. Both sides acknowledged the urgency of strengthening accountability measures within academic processes. Dr. Ahmed stressed the importance of institutional reform, warning that the misuse of authority threatens the credibility of Pakistan’s higher education system.
It was agreed that HEC and FAPUASA would continue working in close coordination to safeguard the future of higher education in Pakistan.
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