LAHORE: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association condemned on Monday illegal termination of faculty members in the Islamic International University (IIU), Islamabad, and demanded their reinstatement with perks and privileges without any delay.

FAPUASA Central President Dr Mehboob Hussain, General Secretary Arif Khan, Punjab President Dr Hamid Mukhtar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Dr Iqbal Munir, Balochistan President Dr Ahmad Shah Kakar, Sindh President Dr Anila Amber Malik and Islamabad President Dr Sohail Yousaf first conducted a midterm review meeting at Government College University and later addressed a press conference about the issues faced by teaching staff.

They said they would observe a black day on Feb 19 across the country against the illegal termination of IIU teachers and demotion of the faculty members by the university administration.

The FAPUASA body demanded their representation in all decision making bodies and committees working for the improvement and uplift of education in Pakistan.

They demanded the composition of search bodies for appointment of vice chancellors be revised and experiencedacademician be appointed their convener. Members should be appointed from the academia of public universities and appointment criteria of vice chancellors should be revised and followed.

They said annual performance review of the vice chancellors should be made mandatory for the promotion of education. A majorityof theuniversities is run on ad hoc basis but the government is not appointing regular vice chancellors.

They also demanded appointment of regular VCs in all public sector universities and advertisement of different positions must be done in time because delay in the processhindereducational process and create unrest.

Other demands included a Uniform Act for all universities of Pakistan for ending political interference.

They said the proceeding of syndicate meetings should be recorded because it was reported that minutes and proceeding of the meetings were tampered withbyVCsandregistrars.

They said in newly established universities study leave was granted on half pay and it should be given on full pay for the promotion of research and academics.

The FAPUASA body also showed concern over slowing down of antiencroachment drive in the Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, and demanded that Prime Minister Imran Khan take notice of the issue.