KARACHI: Teachers at the University of Karachi (KU) have been on strike since last week, suspending classes and boycotting exams over what they describe as long-standing financial demands.
The protest, led by the university’s teachers’ association, disrupted routine academic activities in several departments, and ongoing exams were also affected. The teachers warned that the boycott would continue until their demands were accepted and payments made.
At the center of the conflict are two key demands: payment of the “house ceiling” compensation and payment of leave. Teachers say these benefits are their right and must be implemented without further delay.
The “house cap” refers to housing-related support provided to university employees. Faculty residing on campus are assigned university housing or apartments, while those living off campus receive a fixed housing allowance instead.
According to the KU administration, implementing these two demands would require between Rs 550 million and 600 million, an amount the university says it cannot currently afford.
In response to the growing impasse, KU Vice-Chancellor Dr Khalid Iraqi has written to the Sindh government, particularly the Chief Secretary, seeking advice on the issue. The university pointed out that the house ceiling policy was initially announced by the federal government and questioned whether the Sindh government had officially adopted it.
University officials are concerned that implementing this allocation without provincial approval could create administrative and legal complications. At the same time, the administration has requested a financial package from the Sindh government if it wants the demands to be met.
However, so far, the university says it has received no response from the provincial government, leaving negotiations stalled and academic activities disrupted.
