Peshawar:
Government employees of all Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa organized a protest in the Chowk assembly on Monday, demanding an in-line salary increase with inflation, a disparity allocation of 30 percent similar to the federal model and the implementation of a minimum monthly salary of RS50,000. The protesters blocked Khyber Road for all types of traffic, which led to significant interruptions in the city.
Carrying posters and banners, protesters sang slogans against the provincial government. They criticized the recent increases in wages and pensions, 10 percent and seven percent respectively, as insufficient against the very high inflation. Protesters demanded a disparity allocation of 30 percent similar to federal employees, an increase of 50 percent in in line with inflation, a minimum wage of RS50,000.
They also demanded the transition from CP Fund employees to the GP Fund and the withdrawal of recently imposed pension reform laws.
The opposition leader in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa assembly, Dr. Ibadullah, joined the protest and assured the protesters that their demands were legitimate. He promised to raise his concerns on the floor of the Provincial Assembly and give voice to his complaints in the Legislative Forum.
The protest caused great traffic jams in GT Road, creating difficulties for travelers in suffocating heat. The negotiation attempts between the police and the protest leaders failed, which caused the deployment of additional police forces. The law enforcement agencies finally resorted to the bombardment of tear gas to disperse the crowd.
After the police action, the protesters dissolved and the traffic was gradually restored.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the Peoples Party of Pakistan (PPP), Muhammad Humayun Khan, strongly condemned the use of tear gas and violence against government employees who protest in the Chowk of the Assembly, qualifying the deeply disturbing and unacceptable incident.
He said the PPP denounces the brutal treatment that was made to government workers who simply demanded an increase in their salaries. “The scenes of the Chowk assembly are painful. Those who seek legitimate salary increases should not be treated as enemies,” he said.
Criticizing the provincial government led by PTI, Humayun Khan said he is unable to deliver something beyond exploitation. “Why is the government worried about the demands of fair wages? Even during difficult economic times, the PPP increased the salaries of public servants,” he added.
In addition, he declared that low -grade employees have fallen below the poverty line and that the economic exploitation of government workers will only hinder national progress. “We recognize the democratic right of protesters and we sympathize with them,” Khan said.
He condemned the use of tear gas and canes, particularly against protesters, qualifying him as a representable act. “Public servants are not enemies: they are poor Pakistani who ask for their rights. The violent response of the government is absolutely intolerable.”
Khan asked the provincial government to accept the legitimate demands of the employees and immediately release those who have been arrested. “Each citizen has the right to protest Pacific. He must never be suppressed by force,” he concluded.
