Punjab University staff, faculty form joint action committee

LAHORE: Representative associations of faculty members and employees at the University of the Punjab have announced the formation of a Joint Action Committee (JAC), alleging administrative injustices, abuse of authority, and retaliatory actions against employees and teachers.

The decision was taken at a meeting held on 17 July 2026 at the Committee Room of the Punjab University Executive Club. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Academic Staff Association (ASA), Punjab University Administrative & Technical Staff Association (PUATSA), Officers Welfare Association, Punjab University Librarians Organization, and the Punjab University Stenographers Association.

The newly formed committee unanimously elected Prof. Dr. Sardar Asghar Iqbal as Chairman, Chaudhry Basharat Mahmood as President, Tayyab Ejaz Khan as Secretary General, and Prof. Dr. Kamran Abid as Convener. The Vice Chairmen are Prof. Dr. Muqeet Javed Bhatti, Chaudhry Gulfam Nasir, Dr. Aslam Hayat, and Rana Intikhab Alam. The Media Committee comprises Prof. Dr. Abdul Rehman Niazi, Prof. Dr. Kamran Mirza, Dr. Majid Ali, Tanveer Awan, Hammad Butt, and Azhar Iqbal Baloch.

In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the committee alleged that the University administration has ignored the legitimate concerns of faculty members and employees while resorting to discriminatory and retaliatory measures against those raising their voices. The committee further claimed that fear and intimidation had become tools of governance within the institution.

The JAC warned that if the administration fails to address its concerns and change its approach, it will launch a coordinated protest movement across the University. According to the committee, the planned campaign may include demonstrations, sit-ins, pen-down strikes, class boycotts, and other lawful and democratic forms of protest.

The committee also demanded an immediate end to what it described as retaliatory actions against employees and faculty members, resolution of their outstanding issues, an end to discriminatory practices, and the restoration of transparency, merit, and the rule of law in the University’s administration.

The JAC further announced that the press conference previously scheduled by the Academic Staff Association will now be held jointly under the banner of the Joint Action Committee. It said the conference would outline the committee’s position on alleged administrative and financial irregularities, the challenges facing the University, and its future strategy if its demands remain unmet.

Reaffirming its commitment, the committee said it would continue what it described as a constitutional, legal, and democratic struggle to protect the rights, dignity, and professional interests of the University’s faculty and employees.