University teachers to move Supreme Court against HEC chairman, VCs

ISLAMABAD: University teachers under the banner of the All Public Universities BPS Teachers Association (APUBTA) hav decided to take their grievances to the Supreme Court, citing flagrant violations of the Constitution, abuse of fundamental human rights, and misuse of office and powers allegedly by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) chairman and vice-chancellors (VCs) of select public sector universities.

This decision was reached during the ABPUBTA core-committee meeting, presided over by its president, Dr Sami ur Rehman.

The meeting voiced deep concerns over the conduct of HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, accusing him of misusing his office, powers, and the HEC institution itself. The ABPUBTA alleged that Dr. Ahmad not only denied over 50,000 BPS teachers their right to promotion but also attempted, through illegal and unconstitutional means, to deprive them of their constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights.

The ABPUBTA core-committee emphasized that freedom of movement, the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of association, and freedom of expression are fundamental rights guaranteed by articles 15, 16, 17, and 19 of the Constitution. It was noted that VCs of certain universities, at the behest of the HEC chairman, issued unconstitutional and unlawful orders and notifications to thwart university teachers from participating in a sit-in protest in front of the HEC office in Islamabad on October 31. Subsequently, some VCs initiated proceedings against the teachers who had participated in the protest.

Deadlock persists: university teachers to continue sit-in outside HEC office

The ABPUBTA condemned these actions by the VCs, alleged orchestrated by the HEC chairman, as flagrant violations of the Pakistan Constitution, abuses of fundamental human rights, and misuse of power and authority. Such repressive measures were denounced by all teachers’ associations, including APUBTA and FAPUASA, and will not be tolerated. APUBTA is committed to upholding the fundamental human rights of university teachers, and those attempting to infringe on these rights will face legal action.

The APUBTA core-committee has resolved to challenge the illegal notifications issued by a few VCs under the direction of the HEC chairman in the superior judiciary.

Additionally, the core-committee expressed deep concerns regarding the emergency syndicate meeting convened by the University of Kotli vice-chancellor. It affirmed its determination to exercise the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan and decided that any action taken by any VC, including the University of Kotli vice-chancellor, will be legally countered.

The core-committee also decided to establish a complaint cell and a legal committee to handle such cases and to seek the support of human rights organizations to combat any illegal actions by anyone.

It should be noted that VCs of a number of universities had warned faculty members of their respective institutions to stay away from the teachers’ protest sit-in outside the HEC office.

The directives were issued by the heads of various universities after their online meeting with the HEC chairman.

The APUBTA had called on the teachers to participate in the sit-in outside the HEC building against the ‘non-issuance of notifications regarding their service structure and promotion policy’.

It was learnt that the heads of various universities, including International Islamic University Islamabad, Government College Women University, Faisalabad, Hazara University, Mansehra, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar, Rawalpindi Women University, and Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, had directed the faculty members not to take part in any protest and ensure their attendance in their respective universities.