PESHAWAR: Provincial President of Awami National Party (ANP), Mian Iftikhar Hussain has criticized the PTI-led provincial government over its inaction in addressing the worsening financial crisis being faced by the universities in the province. He cited that the incompetence of the government had led to the near collapse of educational institutions, amongst others, after 13 years of incompetent and corrupt rule.
In his statement, Mian Iftikhar pointed out that the so-called “model government” had failed to build any new educational institutions and had not strengthened existing ones. He further criticized the government’s inability to establish a Provincial Higher Education Commission, a vital body for overseeing education in the region.
“As a matter of fact, this government does not even have the capacity to govern or manage,” commented Mian Iftikhar Hussain. “They haven’t done anything about improving the education sector for almost 13 years now.”
He showed his disappointment over the worsening financial crises in universities in the province, stating that the provincial government is otherwise preoccupied with other activities like “paying visits to Adiala Jail and establishing a ‘Release Force.'”
However, despite all these corruptions happening inside the government, the education sector remains deprived of funds.
Moreover, Mian Iftikhar cited protests by the university employees of Peshawar University where non-teaching employees are protesting for the past eight days due to delayed salaries. It is also worth noting that teaching employees may also join the protest movement in case they do not get their salaries. Till date, no salary has been received by faculty members and employees of March month and also the salaries of March and April pensioners have also not been received.
“It appears that our Chief Minister, Minister of Education and other government authorities are extremely busy in listening to demands raised by protesting employees. People need to realize that the priorities of the provincial government do not involve the development or prosperity of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province,” Mian Iftikhar further commented.
He requested immediate measures by the provincial government to give grants to universities, payments of salaries and pensions and also adopt a solid financial policy to solve the crisis.
“We will continue our efforts to raise voices for the legitimate demands of university employees,” he added.
