07/05/2026
Pakistan may face a serious human resource crisis in public universities as highly qualified researchers and faculty consider leaving due to a salary freeze since 2021 and an 81% rise in taxes.
These academics work under the Tenure Track System (TTS), introduced in 2002 to attract top PhD researchers with higher pay. However, the government has not increased their salaries since 2021.
During this period, inflation has surged sharply, including a peak of around 38%. Meanwhile, authorities have also stopped new TTS hiring since 2020, increasing pressure on existing staff.
Recently, officials held talks with TTS representatives, but no final solution was reached. The finance ministry only offered a possible one-time raise with reduced allowances.
Although salaries remain frozen, taxes have increased significantly, reducing real income. Faculty members warn that continued financial pressure may force many researchers to leave public universities.
Officials said the gap between salaries and rising living costs has widened sharply. They note that faculty earnings have remained unchanged while inflation and tax deductions continue to rise.
