Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal chaired a meeting to address salary disparities faced by faculty members under the Tenure Track System (TTS). He emphasized the need for a permanent and transparent mechanism to ensure fair compensation and retain academic talent in Pakistan.

According to Press Information Department, the meeting was attended by State Minister for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiyani, senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Higher Education Commission (HEC), and other stakeholders. The Federal Minister highlighted the necessity of establishing a clear formula to address salary disparities among Professors, Associate Professors, and Assistant Professors. He advocated for an independent mechanism for future salary adjustments to prevent recurring discrepancies and government deliberations.

The Minister stressed the importance of retaining qualified faculty, expressing concern over the emigration of talented professors seeking better opportunities abroad. He underscored the need to protect the country’s investment in academic talent through fair remuneration.

He directed that the proposed salary adjustment framework consider existing disparities, inflation-based adjustments, and a Consumer Price Index-linked mechanism, supported by accurate data. The Minister warned the HEC against providing incomplete information, asserting accountability for any misinformation.

The meeting aimed to resolve existing TTS salary disparities and establish a predictable framework for future revisions.