THIS is with reference to the letter `FUUAST pension` (Jan 27). The severe financial crisis has left the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST) faculty and staff in distress.

For the last three months, salaries have not been paid. Pensioners, who have given decades of their lives to education, have been waiting for their monthly payments for five months, and for their postretirement dues since 2017.

House rent allowance has been pending for nine months, and medical reimbursements have been withheld for several years. Besides, this prolonged financial hardship has made survival increasingly difficult for those who have dedicated their lives to teaching and research.

Despite such dire circumstances, the vice-chancellor (VC) has failed to take meaningful action. The Federal Ombudsman has already instructed the VC to use the university`s significant investments in private banks to clear these dues, but no steps have been taken. His inaction and misplaced priorities have only deepened the crisis.

The faculty and staff of FUUAST have played a vital role in shaping the future of this nation. It is deeply unfair to leave them struggling for their basic needs.

We earnestly hope that the chancellor`s office will take swift action before the situation worsens any further.

As the chancellor, the president of Pakistan is the ultimate custodian of this institution and its people. An immediate intervention will ensure that pending payments are released, financial stability is restored, and those responsible for mismanagement are held accountable.

DrIrfan Aziz Ex-Member, FUUAST Senate Karachi