PESHAWAR: Employees of Peshawar University have declared an indefinite strike starting August 4, protesting the non-payment of July salaries and pensions. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) representing teachers, officers and staff has warned of a complete university shutdown on August 7 if their demands aren’t met.
The crisis escalated after an emergency meeting on August 1 where employees expressed frustration over unpaid salaries, including a 10% Ad Hoc Relief Allowance and 30% Disparity Reduction Allowance. Protesters also demand immediate payment of four months’ arrears from 2023-24 and one month from 2024-25.
The strike will unfold in two phases:
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Phase 1 (August 4-6): Complete suspension of work in administration offices with protest camps outside VC, Registrar and Treasurer offices
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Phase 2 (From August 7): Full university shutdown halting all academic, research and administrative activities
JAC spokesperson warned the protest would intensify unless the administration addresses their four key demands, including issuing FA/FSC admission schedules for University College for Boys. The committee holds university administration responsible for any academic or financial losses during the strike.
University employees claim repeated reminders to the administration have gone unanswered, creating an “anxious and restless” atmosphere on campus. The standoff threatens to disrupt the new academic session as the teaching staff joins the protest movement.