QAU Faces Financial Emergency, Seeks Urgent Govt Bailout

Nadeem Tanoli

Islamabad: Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), one of Pakistan’s top-ranked higher education institutions, is facing a severe financial crisis that has threatened the livelihoods of its employees and retirees and raised alarm over the university’s future survival without immediate government intervention.

The financial emergency came under scrutiny during a session of the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training, chaired by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt. Representatives of various staff welfare associations submitted urgent appeals, warning that the university is on the brink of collapse.

According to a written statement from university staff, QAU’s financial woes have persisted for over three years, leaving hundreds of retirees without gratuity payments and unable to meet basic family obligations such as weddings.

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The university has also suspended indoor and outdoor medical services for nearly two years. Overtime payments and salaries, particularly for employees working in the BS Evening Program, remain unpaid, while General Provident (GP) funds have been withheld.

In addition, the university has not disbursed house rent subsidies, forcing staff to face pressure from landlords. A 25 percent salary increase announced in the federal budget remains unimplemented, and the latest budget offers no raise at all.

Employee Welfare Association leaders, including General Secretary Iftikhar Ahmed Kayani and Vice President Sajjad Ali, urged the committee to approve an emergency bailout of at least Rs 5 billion. They cautioned that without such intervention, the university may not be able to continue operations.

Rashid Mehmood Abbasi, President of the Officers Welfare Association, pointed out that QAU has not received any significant increase in its budget for the past five years. He noted that some employees have died without receiving their rightful gratuity payments, and despite repeated appeals to the Ministry of Education, no tangible action has been taken. Officials maintain that the matter cannot proceed until the Vice Chancellor presents the university’s perspective.

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Dr Anzar Satti, General Secretary of the Officers Welfare Association, revealed that the university is currently operating under a deficit of Rs 2 billion. He proposed a bailout package of Rs 2.5 billion to stabilize the institution’s finances and enable recovery.

Dr Satti also called for introducing new research and academic programs through public-private partnerships to generate revenue and avoid similar crises in the future.

Staff associations have issued a stark warning: without immediate and decisive action, the collapse of Quaid-i-Azam University could have far-reaching consequences for Pakistan’s higher education system.

Faculty and staff are now urgently appealing to the government for support before the situation reaches a breaking point.