LAHORE: On the call of the Punjab University Academic Staff Association (PUASA), the varsity teachers on Monday boycotted classes and staged a protest demo on the Canal Road against elimination of tax rebate on their salaries, new pension rules and other policies they termed potentially damaging for their career.

A large number of teachers gathered on the road and blocked it for traffic for several hours.

They chanted slogans against the government for what they called its anti-education policies.

The protesters were led by PUASA President Prof Dr Amjad Abbas Magsi, Secretary Dr Muhammad Islam and other office-bearers of its executive council.

The protest followed a general body meeting which expressed concern over thefederaland provincial education policies.

In the general body meeting, PU teachers criticised the government`s withdrawal of tax rebate for the teachers and researchers, terming it a severe blow to the financial stability of academics nationwide.

The teachers said the universities have reportedly begun recoveringarrears from faculty members, exacerbating their economic strain.

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

The meeting also criticised the Punjab government`s decision relating to LPR and pension, causing financial loss to the government employees.

The teachers said despite repeated appeals, authorities have yet to restore the tax relief, prompting the association to escalate its response.

Dr Magsi said all the resources would be utilised for fulfillment of teachers` demands, and reiterated his commitment to peaceful advocacy. He, however, warned of intensified measures if the demands were not accepted.

Dr Magsi said that academic interests of the teaching community will be safeguarded at all costs.

PUASA also condemned the behaviour of some police officials, who mishandled teachers, who were holding peaceful protests. It again summoned the general body meeting on Tuesday (today) to finalise future course of action.