Kamran Khowaja
Hyderabad
Thousands of government employees across various departments in Sindh continue to face unresolved issues, with the recent surge in petroleum prices further aggravating their plight.
Despite repeated promises by the Sindh government, employees remain frustrated over the lack of progress on salaries, pensions, service structure, medical allowance, house rent, group insurance for retired employees, and fixation of daily wages.
The increasing cost of petroleum products and other essential commodities has compounded the financial burden on employees.
In response, the All Pakistan Clerk Association (APCA) has warned of launching a large-scale protest movement to press for their legitimate demands.
APCA Sindh President Maqbool Ahmad Mehr announced that thousands of employees will surround the Sindh Secretariat on budget day if their demands are not addressed.
He added that employees are prepared to take to the streets and lock government offices in protest against what he called “anti-people policies.”
Criticizing the current leadership, Mehr said, “During Imran Khan’s tenure, when petrol was 160 rupees per liter, these same leaders marched on bicycles to Islamabad in protest.
Today, they are in government while petrol prices have skyrocketed, yet they show no concern for the public or the salaried class.”
He confirmed that Sindh’s government employees will once again launch a regular protest movement for the resolution of their long-pending issues. Consultative meetings have already been held in various cities, including Karachi.
Key demands include improvement of the service structure, a 200% increase in salaries, revised house rent and medical allowances, group insurance, and fixation of daily wages at the time of retirement.
