ISLAMABAD (Khyber Mail): The central cabinet of the All Public Universities BPS Teachers Association (APUBTA) vehemently condemns the unjust and inhumane actions of the administration at Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), AJK, for withholding salaries of employees engaged in a legitimate strike for their rightful demands of ARA 2023.
The condemnable actions of the university administration are evident through Notification No. Registrar/16455-505/2023 dated 29.11.2023, circulated to all Deans/Directors/Heads of Departments for the compilation of lists of employees participating in peaceful and lawful protests for ARA 2023. Subsequently, the administration has resorted to punitive measures by withholding the salaries of these employees.
The mentioned course of action by the MUST, AJK administration is not only blatantly illegal but also reflects a callous disregard for the well-being of the employees. It appears to be a deliberate attempt to harass and undermine the legitimate protest against the administration’s incompetence in managing funds for its employees in a timely manner.
The core committee of APUBTA strongly denounces these ill-intentioned and unlawful measures, considering them tools of harassment, as evident in the circulated notification. It is crucial to note that, as per the decision of the honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan and Estacode, employee salaries cannot be withheld even during periods of suspension.
The concerned government authorities and the Chancellor of MUST, AJK, are urged to take swift and decisive action against the university management for issuing such a notification.