KARACHI: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (Fapuasa) Sindh chapter has warned the provincial government and Sindh Higher Education Commission (Sindh-HEC) of a “prolonged agitation” if the commission failed to fulfill its commitments made in the Dec 5 meeting. In a statement, the association has expressed its disappointment and frustration over what it described as failure of the provincial HEC in issuing formal clarifications promised during the meeting. It regretted that despite detailed discussions and assurances by the Sindh-HEC chairman and secretary, and the secretary of the universities and boards department, no tangible steps had been taken to address the “grave concerns” of the academic community. “The association strongly condemns lack of action, which undermines the trust and integrity of the dialogue process. The Sindh HEC’s continued silence on critical issues reflects an alarming disregard for the autonomy, academic integrity and future of the public sector universities in Sindh,” the statement says. It refers to “the unfulfilled promises” made during the Dec 5 meeting, one of which was that a clarification would soon be issued over the cabinet’s decision allowing non-academics to become vice chancellors. The government officials also promised to maintain regular appointments with pension benefits for the existing faculty and to ensure that non-objection certificates (NOCs) required for foreign visits remained within the university authorities. “None of these promises have been materialised. The inaction of the Sindh-HEC is unacceptable and demonstrates a complete disregard for the academic community’s voice and the future of higher education in Sindh,” the statement says. It also refers to the last general body meeting held in Karachi that decided to launch a protest movement across all public sector universities in Sindh in the first week of January. “The movement aims to compel the Sindh-HEC to honor its commitments and protect the academic integrity of our institutions.” The association reiterated its strong opposition to the Sindh cabinet decision allowing bureaucrats without PhDs or teaching experience to be appointed as vice chancellors.