The Punjab University Academic Staff Association (PU ASA) announced boycott of classes and took to the streets, blocking traffic on canal road.

This was done in protest against elimination of tax rebate, new pension rules and other policies potentially damaging career of university teachers across Pakistan.

The protest move followed a heated general body meeting to address growing concerns over federal and provincial education policies.

The protestors were led by PUASA President Prof Dr Amjad Abbas Magsi, Secretary Dr Muhammad Islam and other office bearers of the Executive Council.

A large number of teachers chanted slogans criticising the policies of the government and blcoked the canal road for some time.

In the general body meeting, PU teachers unanimously criticised the federal government’s withdrawal of tax rebates for teachers and researchers, labeling it a severe blow to the financial stability of academics nationwide.

The teachers said that universities have reportedly begun recovering arrears from faculty, exacerbating economic strain.

The teachers accused the Punjab government of eroding institutional autonomy through restrictive measures while neglecting urgent demands for enhanced recurring grants to alleviate fiscal crises in public universities.