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Academic activities at most public-sector universities across the province were brought to a standstill on Thursday as teachers staged a strike in protest against recent government policies, including plans to appoint bureaucrats as vice chancellors (VCs) and hire faculty on a contractual basis.
The strike, organized by the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) with just a day’s notice, disrupted operations at over 20 universities, including Karachi University, Sindh University, and Mehran University of Engineering and Technology.
Dr. Ikhtiar Ghumro, head of FAPUASA’s Sindh chapter, declared that the strike would continue until the government meets their demands. The teachers have called for the restoration of university autonomy and the reversal of amendments to the Sindh Universities Act related to vice chancellor appointments.
Expressing frustration over the “lack of response” from the Sindh Higher Education Commission and the universities and boards department, Dr. Ghumro emphasized that the strike was a necessary step to address their grievances.
At Karachi University, Dr. Mohsin Ali, representing the Karachi University Teachers’ Society, stressed the urgent need for government funding to address financial crises in universities and reaffirmed the demand for respecting university autonomy. Similarly, teachers at Sindh Madressatul Islam University raised concerns over the proposed bureaucratic appointments.
The strike has garnered support from various student organizations and political groups, who have criticized the government’s plans and called for safeguarding higher education in Sindh.