At Punjab University (PU) in Lahore, non-teaching employees who had been appointed to ad-hoc Assistant Professor roles are now facing unexpected cancellation of those positions. The employee union has strongly criticized the decision, asserting that it undermines meritocracy and dismisses years of academic effort by staff holding advanced qualifications like PhDs.

Staff Reaction: Calls for Merit-Based Justice

Non-teaching staff argue they met all criteria for their temporary positions: educational qualifications, institutional need, and performance. The sudden revocation executed under university regulations and a Syndicate resolution dated July 3, 2025 appears to ignore these merits. Staff feel their potential career progression has been unjustly obstructed.

Union’s Demand for Reinstatement

In response, the staff union is demanding immediate review and reversal of the cancellation. They emphasize that denying upward mobility based on qualifications demoralizes employees and damages the university’s academic standards. The union is also urging transparency in the criteria used for such decisions.

Protest Measures: Threat of Sit-In

If the university fails to address their concerns, non-teaching staff have threatened a symbolic sit-in at the main gate. This non-violent action aims to draw public and administrative attention to their grievance, calling for the appointments to be reinstated or formally justified.

Broader Implications for University Culture

This controversy highlights tension within higher education: the need for merit-based career pathways versus rigid institutional hierarchies. Advocates for staff mobility argue that enabling qualified employees to take on academic roles enriches teaching quality and boosts institutional morale. Conversely, opponents claim structural rules must be preserved to protect formal hierarchies.

University Response: Still Pending

As of now, PU administration has not issued any public response. With tensions rising and protest plans underway, observers expect that the university leadership will either enter dialogue or risk escalation. Resolution is crucial to preserving institutional harmony and staff confidence.

Conclusion: Merit, Morale, and Institutional Trust

Punjab University’s non-teaching staff protest is more than a labor dispute it shines a light on the importance of fair and transparent career pathways in academia. The protest underscores the need for balanced policies that reward merit without compromising organizational structures. The university’s response in the coming days will determine whether staff feel heard or unheard amid institutional change