Mian Iftikhar for release of emergency funds to KP varsities

Mian Iftikhar Hussain, President of Awami National Party Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the worsening financial crisis in public sector universities across the province, attributing it to years of poor governance

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Apr, 2026) Mian Iftikhar Hussain, President of Awami National Party Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the worsening financial crisis in public sector universities across the province, attributing it to years of poor governance.

In a statement issued here, he urged the KP government to immediately release emergency grants to universities, ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions, and adopt a sustainable strategy to resolve the financial crisis in the education sector.

He said the deteriorating financial condition of universities was a direct result of the provincial government’s incompetence over the past 13 years.

He claimed that the KP government had failed to establish new educational institutions or strengthen existing ones, adding that a provincial Higher Education Commission had yet to be set up.

He criticized the government for prioritizing political matters over public welfare, alleging corruption while educational institutions continued to suffer due to lack of funds.

Highlighting the situation at University of Peshawar, he noted that non-teaching staff had been on strike for the past eight days over non-payment of salaries, warning that teaching staff might also join the protest if dues were not released.

He added that employees and pensioners had not yet received their March salaries and pensions.

He further pointed out that faculty members at University of Bannu had also been protesting for the past two days over delayed salaries, while Kohat University of Science and Technology was reportedly facing a shortage of funds to pay April salaries.

Mian Iftikhar alleged that the provincial leadership, including the Chief Minister and Education Minister, did not engage with protesting employees.

He reaffirmed that the Awami National Party would continue to raise its voice in support of university employees and their legitimate demands.