The ongoing conflict between Karachi University’s administration and its faculty over unpaid financial dues has now extended beyond four weeks. The teachers’ refusal to conduct semester examinations has significantly impacted the academic progress of over 50,000 students enrolled at one of Pakistan’s largest universities.
The Karachi University Teachers’ Association spokesperson confirmed that teaching activities have been halted for a month, with final exams postponed indefinitely. Despite these disruptions, university authorities have yet to address the teachers’ demands.
The boycott began on May 5, triggered by the teachers’ insistence on receiving pending payments, which include compensation for evening classes, exam supervision, paper checking, house rent ceiling allowances, and leave encashment. Additionally, the faculty has called for a thorough inquiry into the university’s ongoing financial difficulties.
Students have expressed growing concern about the uncertainty surrounding their academic future. The delay threatens to eliminate the semester break, shorten upcoming semesters, and disrupt the established academic calendar.
Criticism has mounted against Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah and provincial authorities responsible for overseeing public universities, who have remained silent amid the crisis. The Teachers’ Association highlighted that multiple letters from KU Vice Chancellor Dr. Khalid Iraqi to the Sindh government seeking intervention have gone unanswered.
Meanwhile, students urge the university administration and government officials to take immediate steps to resolve the dispute, allowing academic activities to resume without further postponements.
