Karachi University staff postpone exam boycott after Sindh govt assurances

KARACHI: Teachers and non-teaching employees at the University of Karachi have put off their protest, including a boycott of semester examinations, after accepting assurances from the Sindh government over their pending demands.

The protest over unpaid dues had continued for more than a month. The employees had also been boycotting semester examinations since May 5. Earlier on Tuesday, a large number of teachers and non-teaching staff, backed by students and representatives of different groups, staged a sit-in at the university’s Silver Jubilee Gate and voiced concern over what they described as government delaying tactics. They had also warned that they would block University Road if their demands were not met.

Government assurances were presented during a meeting chaired by Sindh Universities and Boards Minister Muhammad Ismail Rahoo. Those attending included Sindh Higher Education Commission chairperson Dr Tariq Rafi, Universities and Boards Secretary Muhammad Abbas Baloch, Chairman Charter Inspection and Evaluation Committee Dr Sarosh Hashmat Lodi, Sindh HEC Secretary Dr Noman Ahsan, Karachi University Teachers’ Society president Syed Ghufran Alam, KU Employees Welfare Association president Zahid Hussain Baloch, and KU Officers’ Welfare Association president Faisal Hashmi.

A summary will be moved by the Universities and Boards Department of the Sindh government regarding favourable recommendations for ex gratia and the housing rental ceiling for Karachi University employees. The minutes added that the representatives of the associations assured that they would call off the ongoing strike after consultation, while the committee already formed on the issue would continue its work.

The university representatives had held an initial meeting with the KU vice chancellor on the same day before attending the higher-level meeting. This was the second meeting between government officials and KU representatives within a week.

Speaking to Karachi University Teachers’ Society president Syed Ghufran Alam said all stakeholders, including the non-teaching staff, had agreed to accept the government’s assurances and postpone the protest movement. "We all appreciate the government’s efforts as it has given us assurances in writing. This happened in the presence of top education and university officials, including the minister. Our response also means to show respect to Ashura. Let’s see how things develop and promises are delivered," he said.

The employees had been demanding payment of dues related to evening classes, copy checking, exam supervision, paper setting, exam vigilance, house ceiling and leave encashment, among other matters. They had also sought an investigation into the financial crisis at the university and previously maintained that the strike would continue until their demands were met.