Peshawar University Demands Rs. 50 Billion in Next Budget

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the University of Peshawar has raised serious concerns over the continuous disregard by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government toward public universities. In an emergency meeting led by JAC President Dr. Zakirullah Jan, the committee called for a minimum allocation of Rs50 billion in the 2025–26 provincial budget for the higher education sector. According to JAC representatives, this financial support is essential to ensure the timely disbursement of salaries and pensions, revive academic and research initiatives, and keep universities on track for development. The session was also attended by leaders of Class III, Class IV, and sanitation staff associations. They warned that if their demands are not met, a province-wide protest campaign will be launched. The committee emphasized that under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, it is the provincial government’s responsibility to provide adequate financial support to higher education institutions. JAC leaders noted that other provinces like Punjab and Sindh have fulfilled this obligation, offering continuous funding to public universities. In contrast, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s government has fallen short of its constitutional duties. Universities across the province are currently facing a severe financial crunch, leading to operational disruptions, academic setbacks, and unpaid salaries. Ongoing research has stalled, and the quality of education continues to decline. The JAC also appealed to newly appointed vice chancellors to raise their voices and demand proper funding, warning that continued silence could endanger the future of the higher education system in the region. Dr. Zakirullah Jan concluded the meeting by stating, “We cannot sit back and watch our academic institutions collapse. The time has come for action. The responsibility now lies with the provincial authorities.”