LAHORE: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) has condemned the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for its decision to discontinue the 25 per cent tax rebate for researchers and full-time teachers, deeming the move illegal and illogical.

In an online meeting chaired by FAPUASA President Dr Amjad Abbas Magsi and moderated by General Secretary Dr Muhammad Uzair, the association criticized the FBR’s letter issued on December 30. The letter, titled “Intimation Regarding Discontinuance of 25pc Rebate in Respect of Researchers/Full-Time Teachers,” was described as a direct violation of legislative authority, as the rebate had been approved by the federal finance minister and incorporated into the National Assembly proceedings on June 28, 2024.

Dr Magsi said that the rebate, consistently provided during the fiscal years 2021-22 and 2022-23, was explicitly extended in the 2023-24 budget.

He said that the FBR’s unilateral decision undermines the democratic process and called for the immediate withdrawal of the letter. He urged the finance minister and prime minister to hold the FBR accountable for overstepping its jurisdiction.

The meeting also expressed solidarity with the All Government Employees Grand Alliance (Agega) Pakistan in its protest against the Punjab government’s new pension rules and leave preparatory to retirement (LPR) regulations. Dr Muhammad Uzair termed the new rules unjust and illegal, highlighting that pensions are an integral part of the BPS service structure. Any cuts or modifications, he said, violate the rights of public servants.

FAPUASA announced its participation in the Agega rally scheduled for Jan 22 in Islamabad, followed by a sit-in to demand the immediate withdrawal of the new pension rules.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2025