FAPUASA Rejects Abolition of Tax Rebate for Researchers

News Desk

Islamabad: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA) has strongly condemned the government’s proposed abolition of the tax rebate for university teachers and researchers, calling it a severe blow to higher education and national research output.

Originally introduced in 2006 at a 75% rate and later reduced to 40% by the PML-N government in 2013, the rebate has long served as the only significant incentive for academics to remain in the field and contribute meaningfully to national development. The same political leadership now seeks to eliminate it entirely, prompting widespread concern across academic circles.

FAPUASA criticized the government’s justification that the decision stems from International Monetary Fund (IMF) objections, calling it both weak and misleading. The association pointed out that while billions are spent on luxury perks for bureaucrats and significant salary increases are proposed for parliamentarians reportedly up to 600% tax relief for researchers is being withdrawn under the guise of fiscal prudence.

The federation termed this move as part of a broader pattern of rewarding political and bureaucratic elites at the expense of educators, describing it as a shameful surrender of national policy space to external pressures.

FAPUASA warned that abolishing the rebate would accelerate brain drain, demoralize academic staff, and undermine already fragile research productivity in Pakistan. The association has vowed to resist the move and will soon announce a comprehensive response strategy.FAPUASA demands the immediate restoration of the tax rebate, asserting that educators and researchers deserve dignity, recognition, and support—not further marginalization.