Governor urges KP govt to resolve Gomal University’s financial crisis

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has criticised the provincial government over the financial and administrative crisis at Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, and urged it to ensure payment of outstanding salaries and pensions to employees.
In a video message, the governor expressed concern over protests by faculty members, teachers, Class-IV employees and other staff of Gomal University and other public-sector universities over non-payment of their salaries and pensions.
He said the protests had disrupted academic activities and adversely affected employees and their families, while the educational future of students was also at stake.
Addressing the provincial government and Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi, Mr Kundi said the government should first address the issues of its own people, including teachers, doctors, nurses and local government representatives, before raising the issue of rights of other provinces.
He also urged the provincial government to focus on law and order and governance instead of political visits and protest politics.
The governor attributed the financial difficulties faced by universities to what he described as illegal and excessive recruitment. He called for a transparent inquiry into all allegedly illegal and surplus appointments made in universities during the past 13 years.
Mr Kundi said the Pakistan Peoples Party supported employment opportunities, but politically motivated and unlawful recruitment in financially distressed institutions such as Gomal University could push them towards collapse.
He urged the chief minister to take immediate practical measures to resolve the financial crisis facing Gomal University and other universities and ensure payment of outstanding dues to employees.