Universities across Sindh province will remain closed for two more days, Thursday and Friday, as protests continue against a controversial amendment bill.
The closure, announced by the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA), extends a week-long boycott of academic activities.
The protests center on the Sindh Universities Amendment Bill, which proposes appointing bureaucrats as vice-chancellors and employing teachers on a contractual basis. Faculty members argue the bill undermines academic independence and autonomy.
The ongoing demonstrations, which are expected to escalate with a planned protest and press conference outside the Karachi Press Club on Thursday, have led to the suspension of teaching activities at all public universities in Sindh. Further demonstrations are planned for Friday, and there are indications that political parties may join the protests.
Karachi University Teachers’ Association representative Ma’ruf Bin Rauf confirmed the continued closure, stating strong opposition to the amendment bill, which he says compromises university autonomy.
Despite calls for dialogue, a resolution remains elusive, leaving the Sindh government and university faculty in a stalemate.
