PESHAWAR: The joint action committee of the University of Peshawar (UoP) – largest university in the province – announced complete “lock down” of the university as a result there would be no classes and hostels would remain shut down from 14 March.
The committee said in a statement that the protest is against the ‘violation’ of university act and other rules of the institution, ‘anti-workers policies’ and ‘illegal’ salary deductions.
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The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) KP has also announced support for the ongoing protest by the faculty and staff of the University of Peshawar for their “legitimate” demands. The President of FAPUASA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Prof. Dr. Shah Alam Khan said in a statement that besides university of Peshawar, employees of other public sector universities in the province face similarly problems.
Dr Khan assured the protesters of full support in securing the rights from the university administration. He said, “Further oppression of teachers and students will not be tolerated.” Dr Shah Alam reiterated that if the provincial government and the management of the universities did not show seriousness in resolving outstanding issues, then all the universities should be provided another platform where they could raise voice of their rights. He warned that besides boycotting duties, faculty members and other staff of the university will take to the streets.
FAPUASA said in a Twitter post, “Chancellor Shah Farman and Minister for higher Education Kamran Bangash consider it unnecessary to discuss issues with highly education teaching community. Such attitudes are unprecedented.” The statement was issued after the government dialogues with the class iv association of the university.
“Due to the indifference of the provincial government, the teachers and employees of the University of Peshawar are forced to declare a complete strike from Monday, March 14,” the association said in another tweet.
The UoP Vice-Chancellor of Dr Mohammad Idrees is a statement claimed that all the issues of the university’s employees have been resolved. The VC claimed, “There is no justification of protests after accepting all demands.” However, the protesting employees termed his claim “baseless”.