Saeed Chaudhry
Islamabad:Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Islamabad ranked among Pakistan’s top academic institutions is facing an unprecedented financial crisis that has brought its core operations to the brink of collapse. The joint Coordination Council, representing both teaching and non-teaching staff, has issued a fervent appeal to the federal government, calling for immediate intervention and release of emergency funds to keep the university running.
Speaking on behalf of the Council, spokesperson Hassan Shah addressed a detailed statement to the Prime Minister, Chairman Senate, Speaker National Assembly, Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC), and other senior authorities. He warned that the university is no longer able to pay salaries or pensions, with thousands of students and staff facing uncertainty.
The Council revealed that QAU’s financial woes have deepened due to stagnant funding since 2018, despite rising inflation. For the fiscal year 2024, the university urgently requires at least Rs. 2.5 billion, but no disbursement has been made so far. As a result, academic and research activities are suffering badly.
Several alarming indicators of the crisis were highlighted: June 2024 salaries were delayed, July salaries are still unpaid, and many retired employees have not received their pensions for months. The university’s pension fund has been completely depleted, and support staff salaries are also in jeopardy. Moreover, a proposed 25% budget increase from the HEC remains pending approval.
The Council emphasized that QAU serves thousands of students from underprivileged, rural, and middle-income backgrounds. Without urgent support, their academic futures may be derailed. Known as a beacon of hope for talented yet financially challenged students, QAU now faces the risk of closure if funding is not secured.
Calling education a national priority, the Coordination Council urged the Prime Minister to take personal notice and ensure that the necessary funds are released without delay. They also called for protection of universities’ autonomy and long-term financial planning to prevent such crises.
Warning of broader consequences, the Council noted that neglecting QAU could have a ripple effect across Pakistan’s higher education landscape. As a center of academic excellence, research, and leadership development, the university plays a crucial role in shaping the nation’s future.
In a final note, the Coordination Council and Officers and Employees Association cautioned that if salaries for June and July and 40% of the pending budget are not addressed by July 31, a peaceful protest camp will be launched from August 1. The protest could extend beyond campus grounds to key federal sites, including Aiwan-e-Sadr and other government institutions.
The Council also called on academic communities, civil society, students, and media to join the “Save Quaid-i-Azam University” campaign and raise their voices for the survival of one of the country’s most vital educational institutions.
