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Government Employees Rally in Islamabad Demanding Salary Increases and Pension Reform Reversal

 ISLAMABAD: In the second phase of their ongoing protest, government employees from across Pakistan convened at Q Block of the Pak Secretariat on Wednesday under the banner of the All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA). The demonstrators voiced their demands for substantial salary hikes and the reversal of pension reforms, warning of an indefinite sit-in if their grievances are not addressed by February 10.


Key Demands and Protest Actions

The employees demanded a 200% increase in house rent, medical, and conveyance allowances, in line with recommendations made by the Pay and Pension Committee in 2020. Additionally, they called for:

  • Regularization of contract and daily-wage workers.
  • Restoration of employees dismissed under the government’s rightsizing scheme.
  • Reversal of tax increases on employee salaries.
  • Withdrawal of recent reforms related to leave encashment and pensions, which they argue disproportionately affect teachers and government servants.

AGEGA, which represents over 100 unions and associations from various government departments, initiated its protest on January 6 with employees wearing black armbands. The demonstration escalated on Wednesday, with participants gathering at Q Block and marching toward the Parliament building.

Leadership and Speeches

AGEGA Chief Coordinator Rehman Ali Bajwa led the march and addressed the crowd in front of Parliament, highlighting the disparities in salary increases. Bajwa criticized the preferential treatment given to judges, parliamentarians, and select government officials, who have received significant pay raises while other employees were overlooked.

Bajwa also emphasized the importance of improving management and restructuring government institutions rather than resorting to privatization. "We demand fairness in addressing employees’ concerns and will continue our struggle until these issues are resolved," he stated.

Former president of the Federal Government College Teachers Association, Dr. Rahima Rehman, added her voice to the rally, decrying recent pension and leave encashment reforms. She argued these changes have unfairly burdened educators and other government employees.

Peaceful Protest and Future Actions

The demonstration ended peacefully, with participants dispersing in an orderly manner. However, AGEGA leaders issued a firm warning: if their demands are not met by February 10, the employees will stage an indefinite sit-in outside Parliament.

The protest, which also saw parallel demonstrations in provincial capitals, underscores growing dissatisfaction among government employees with policies perceived as neglecting their rights and welfare. The coming weeks will test the government’s responsiveness to these demands and its ability to address the concerns of its workforce.

 

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