The government has begun work to address salary gaps among university faculty under the Tenure Track System (TTS). Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal called for a permanent mechanism that makes pay adjustments fair, transparent and linked to inflation. He chaired a high-level meeting on Friday on the pay structure and the disparities faced by faculty members.
The meeting was attended by State Minister for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiyani, senior officials of the Ministry of Finance, the Higher Education Commission (HEC), a member for science and technology from the Planning Commission, and focal persons nominated by universities. The Tenure Track System governs how university teachers are hired and promoted through ranks such as assistant professor, associate professor and professor. The HEC is the federal regulator for higher education, and the consumer price index (CPI), the standard measure of inflation, is the reference point for the proposed adjustment method.
What the meeting discussed
Iqbal said the existing disparities must be resolved through a clear and objective formula. Such a formula, he said, should set appropriate differences in pay between professors, associate professors and assistant professors. He also asked for an independent mechanism for future salary changes, so that the same discrepancies do not recur and government-level deliberations do not have to be repeated.
The proposed framework has three parts: the existing disparities, an inflation-based adjustment, and a forward-looking CPI-linked mechanism. The minister directed that each part be supported by accurate data and clearly established financial implications. The meeting also discussed the need for a predictable and transparent framework for future revisions.
Concern about talent leaving the country
The minister said it was deeply concerning that many talented Pakistani professors had left the country for better opportunities abroad. He argued that the investment the country makes in educating and training its academic talent must be protected through fair remuneration and a sustainable compensation structure. Retaining highly qualified faculty, in his view, is the core purpose of the reform.
He also cautioned the HEC against presenting incomplete or inaccurate information. He said that if it emerged the forum had been misled, he would hold the Commission accountable.
Next steps and open questions
The meeting set out the direction of the reform but did not finalise a new pay formula. Before any change moves ahead, the proposal must be backed by accurate data and clear financial costings, as the minister directed. Until that work is complete, the revised salary structure remains a proposal.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Government ne TTS ke tehat kaam karne wale university teachers ki tankhwahon ke farq par kaam shuru kar diya hai. Planning minister Ahsan Iqbal chahte hain ke professors, associate professors aur assistant professors ki tankhwahon ka ek wazeh aur shafaf formula ban jaye. Mehngai ke hisaab se tankhwah badalne ka mustaqil tareeqa bhi socha ja raha hai. Abhi yeh sirf ek tajveez hai, aur is par data ki tasdeeq ke baad hi faisla hoga.
