Karachi University Teachers Boycott Exams Over Unpaid Dues
Academic activities at the University of Karachi were significantly disrupted on Tuesday after faculty members initiated a boycott of semester examinations. The protest was organized by the Karachi University Teachers’ Society (KUTS) amid ongoing disputes related to unpaid financial dues.
The teachers accused the university administration of failing to clear long-overdue payments owed to them. These outstanding payments include compensation for evening classes, examination duties, paper setting and checking, vigilance tasks, house ceiling claims, and leave encashment. Retired faculty members and non-teaching staff are also among those awaiting their pending dues.
Faculty members highlighted the additional financial strain caused by rising fuel prices and inflation, which have exacerbated their economic challenges. KUTS President Syed Ghufran Alam stated that the boycott is a result of repeated unsuccessful attempts to resolve these issues through dialogue with the university administration, which is reportedly facing a financial deficit of approximately Rs. 1.3 billion.
Alam urged the Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to intervene by initiating an inquiry to ensure transparency and accountability regarding the university’s financial management. The teachers’ society has warned that the examination boycott will persist until the matter is satisfactorily resolved. Further decisions on potential future measures are expected to be taken in a general body meeting scheduled for Thursday.
The ongoing dispute is causing concern among students and educational stakeholders due to potential delays in academic schedules and the adverse effects on thousands of enrolled students at Karachi University. The situation underscores the broader challenges faced by educational institutions grappling with financial difficulties amid inflationary pressures in Pakistan.