If the government fails to meet their demands within the given deadline, the sit-in will resume: Wazirzada
PESHAWAR
Government employees from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ended their seven-hour protest sit-in on Wednesday after successful negotiations with the provincial government, which assured them of addressing their key demands, including a 30 per cent increase in the Disparity Reduction Allowance (DRA).
The sit-in, organized by the All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA), was held in front of the provincial assembly. Thousands of employees, including those from Peshawar and other districts, gathered to demand a salary increase and parity in DRA with federal employees.
AGEGA President Wazir Zada strongly opposed the proposed pension deductions and rejected the 15pc disparity allowance announced in the provincial budget for 205-26, calling it insufficient. “We demand at least a 30pc disparity allowance, equal to what federal employees receive,” he stated.
Protesters highlighted the rising cost of living, arguing that existing benefits are inadequate and any further cuts would worsen their financial burdens.
Chairman Wazirzada, along with leaders Azizullah Khan and Muhammad Sher Khan, the protest severely disrupted traffic in Peshawar, with Khyber Road blocked for several hours and long queues of vehicles forming across the city.
Protesters held prayers on Khyber Road during the demonstration, but the city’s traffic system remained paralyzed for the duration of the sit-in.
Following negotiations, the government agreed to consider a 30pc DRA increase based on the federal model and formed a committee to address the employees’ grievances.
On this assurance, AGEGA leadership announced a three-day postponement of further protests.
Provincial chairman Wazirzada stated that “if the government fails to meet their demands within the given deadline, the sit-in will resume.”
