Public university teachers have demanded a massive 300 percent increase in the higher education budget for fiscal year 2026-27, warning that financial stress across institutions is reaching a critical level. They said urgent government intervention is necessary to prevent disruption in academic operations and maintain institutional stability.
Moreover, the All Public Universities Teachers Association stated that higher education funding has remained largely stagnant since 2018. As a result, universities continue to face growing pressure, while rising inflation and operational costs have further worsened their financial situation over time.
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The association also highlighted that many public universities are struggling to pay salaries and pensions on time. Consequently, teachers warned that the financial crisis could deepen further if immediate relief and increased funding are not provided in the upcoming budget cycle.
In addition, teachers specifically pointed out that several institutions in Islamabad, including Quaid-e-Azam University, International Islamic University, and Urdu University, are among the most affected. They demanded targeted financial support to help these universities meet essential operational and academic requirements.
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Furthermore, the association stressed that underfunding has severely impacted both teaching quality and research output in public universities. They argued that continued neglect of the sector poses a long-term risk to students, academic development, and national intellectual growth.
Meanwhile, APUBTA urged both federal and provincial governments to coordinate efforts and address the financial crisis collectively. Teachers emphasized that without a substantial increase in funding, higher education institutions may face even greater instability in the coming months.