Tandojam, Sept 23 – Academic, administrative, and support staff at Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) staged a powerful protest on Monday as part of a province-wide call by the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) Sindh Chapter and the Sindh Employees Alliance (SEA). The Sindh Agriculture University Teachers Association (SAUTA) fully endorsed the strike, suspending all teaching activities for the day.
The boycott began in the morning with classes and academic work completely halted. Later, hundreds of professors, officers, and employees gathered for a protest rally, which started at A.M. Sheikh Hall and concluded in front of the Vice Chancellor’s Secretariat, where demonstrators held a large sit-in. The protest echoed with slogans condemning what participants described as “oppressive government decisions” and demanding immediate redress of employees’ grievances.
Core Demands Raised
During the protest, leaders and participants reiterated five key demands:
- Withdrawal of the proposed pension cut-off, which they argued would severely impact the financial security of retiring employees.
- Provision of disparity allowance for all employees to bring salaries in line with inflation and disparities across government departments.
- Release of group insurance payments at the time of retirement, ensuring that retired staff receive the financial support they are entitled to.
- Restoration of the recruitment quota for heirs of deceased employees, a policy that has long provided social safety for bereaved families.
- Reinstatement of the 25% tax rebate, previously available but now withdrawn, which employees say unfairly increases their financial burden.
Leaders’ Speeches
At the demonstration, SAUTA President Dr. Fahad Nazir Khoso, Dr. Javed Ali Gadahi, Officers Association President Anwar Hussain Khanzada, Joint Secretary Abdul Qadir Chandio, and staff leaders including Jameel Ahmed Mari, Anwar Gopang, Khawar Memon, and Abdul Hai Bhutto (Senior Syndicate Member) addressed the crowd.
They stressed that these issues were not unique to university employees but were part of a broader crisis affecting public-sector workers across Sindh. “The government’s stance on pensions is particularly alarming,” one leader said, “as it places future retirees in a vulnerable position without guaranteed post-service support.” Others highlighted that the delay in group insurance and the elimination of quotas for families of deceased employees were “inhumane measures” that would only deepen hardships.
Continued Support from FAPUASA
The FAPUASA Sindh Chapter reaffirmed its full support for SEA’s charter of demands. Leaders announced that Monday’s boycott was only the beginning, warning of a larger movement if the government failed to act. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with our colleagues,” the FAPUASA leadership stated, “and will participate in upcoming token strikes, protest rallies, and demonstrations across the province until justice is delivered.”
Broader Context of the Protest
The protest comes at a time of growing unrest among employees in Sindh, who argue that economic pressures, coupled with government cost-cutting measures, have left them increasingly vulnerable. University staff say that while the higher education sector already struggles with resource constraints, imposing further restrictions on pensions and allowances risks undermining morale, recruitment, and the quality of education.
Several protestors pointed out that the education sector is supposed to be a national priority, yet faculty and staff are being forced into the streets to secure basic rights. “How can universities perform their role in nation-building when their own teachers and employees are worried about financial survival?” asked one demonstrator.
Looking Ahead
As the rally ended, participants vowed to continue their struggle until their demands were met. Many also expressed hope that the Sindh government would review its policies before tensions escalated further. If not, unions warned of province-wide strikes and disruptions that could impact the functioning of public universities.
The day-long boycott and rally at Sindh Agriculture University reflect a growing wave of frustration among public employees, with FAPUASA and SEA positioning themselves at the center of a widening labor movement demanding fairness, social protection, and economic justice.
