University of Peshawar Staff Protest Over Unpaid Salaries and Pensions

Employees of the University of Peshawar staged a protest on Monday over non-payment of salaries and pensions for March, highlighting a deepening financial crisis at the institution.

A large number of workers blocked Jamrud Road outside the campus, chanting slogans against the provincial government and university administration.

The road blockade caused severe inconvenience to commuters, especially amid hot weather conditions.

According to Imtiaz Khan, the university paid salaries in instalments to lower-grade staff, while faculty members received only 40% of their dues. Retired employees, he said, have not yet received their pensions.

He warned that protests could intensify if authorities fail to ensure timely payments.

Meanwhile, the Peshawar University Teachers Association has written to Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, seeking urgent financial support for the university.

In the letter, the association described the institution as a cornerstone of education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for over 75 years, but said employees are now under severe financial strain.

It noted that Rs131 million in salaries and Rs162 million in pensions for March remain unpaid.

Staff and pensioners are struggling to meet basic expenses, including rent, utilities, healthcare, and education costs, the letter added. It also warned of growing uncertainty, as the university lacks funds to guarantee salaries and pensions in the coming months.

Despite repeated delays, faculty and staff have continued teaching without disruption. However, the association cautioned that the situation is becoming unsustainable without immediate government intervention.

The crisis underscores broader concerns about funding for public universities and their impact on employees and the province’s education system.