Academic activities at the University of Peshawar have been severely disrupted due to an ongoing dispute between the administration and faculty members. For the third consecutive day, classes and administrative work remain suspended following a boycott announced by the Peshawar University Teachers Association (PUTA).

According to PUTA, the protest was launched over delays in salary payments, pension-related issues, and obstacles in the promotion process, which have significantly affected teaching, examinations, and admissions.

PUTA President Professor Dr. Zakirullah Jan stated that the teachers began their protest on Monday and that a complete boycott is ongoing. 

He said salaries have not been paid on time for the past two years, while meetings of the selection board for promotions have not been convened for a long period.

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PUTA maintains that the protest is against the Vice Chancellor’s continued failure to call a selection board meeting, adding that the boycott will continue until such a meeting is convened.

Meanwhile, the University of Peshawar’s Joint Action Committee — comprising Class IV employees, sanitation staff, and administrative officers’ associations — met with the PUTA leadership to express solidarity and discuss joining the protest.

According to PUTA officials, the Joint Action Committee has been asked to wait for now; however, if the issue is not resolved, a decision to completely shut down the university may also be taken.

The University of Peshawar has more than 54 departments with approximately 20,000 students enrolled. Teachers say the university requires around Rs 5.5 billion annually, while total income and government funding amount to about Rs 4 billion, resulting in an annual deficit of nearly Rs 1.5 billion.

The teachers’ association has urged the government to immediately release a special grant, convene selection board meetings, and ensure timely payment of salaries so that academic activities can resume.