LAHORE: US Consul General Kristin K Hawkins says USAID`s initiative of strengthening higher education is part of the US government`s long-standing commitment to promote education in Pakistan.

She was addressing the concluding ceremony of a four-day USAID workshop on the strengthening of the higher education system at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) on Friday.

The workshop was organised in collaboration with the US government and 16 public uni-versities across Pakistan. The primary aim of the workshop was to equip Pakistani students with the necessary resources to build successful careers in the future. Experts such as Dr Randy McCrillis and Dr Kari Ellingson from the University of Utah, Kerry Johnson from the American University in Cairo, and Dr Kevin D Arco from Duke University, provided training on topics including student leadership and mental health services.

Ms Hawkins said that the US was a partner in expanding educational opportunities for Pakistani students for decades.

She said that the US has helpedbuild schools and universities across the country through close collaboration with Pakistani partners.

She said that the US also had provided free opportunities for Pakistani youth to study abroad, and improved the quality of existing educational programs.

Earlier, The UET Teaching Staff Association (TSA) strongly condemned the Federal Board of Revenue`s (FBR) decision to impose a 25 percent tax deduction on the salaries of teachers and researchers.

The TSA organised a meeting chaired by its President Dr.

Muhammad Shoaib who demanded the immediate with-drawal of this notification.

All the members of TSA expressed concerns over the negative impact this decision will have on the academic staff and researchers. Dr Shoaib emphasised that if the notification is not revoked, TSA will resort to peaceful protests.

The association was committed to safeguard the legitimate rights of its members and would continue its struggle until the unjust tax deduction was reversed.

The meeting was attended by Dr Fahim Gohar Awan, Dr Usman, Dr Owais, Dr Shumaila, Dr Huda, Dr Rizwana and Dr Rashid Jalil.