The district chapter of Tanzeem-e-Asateza Pakistan has urged the government to announce a 100 per cent increase in salaries and pensions for teachers and other public sector employees in the forthcoming federal budget, arguing that soaring inflation has severely eroded their purchasing power.
Statement by District President
In a statement issued on Thursday, Tanzeem-e-Asateza Pakistan district president Sharifullah Afridi said teachers and government employees were struggling to cope with the relentless rise in the cost of living, with escalating prices of essential commodities placing unprecedented pressure on household finances.
He said repeated increases in electricity and gas tariffs, fuel prices, healthcare expenses and educational costs had made it increasingly difficult for salaried employees and pensioners to meet their daily needs.
“The existing salary and pension structure is no longer sufficient to sustain a dignified standard of living,” Mr Afridi said, calling upon the government to provide meaningful relief through the upcoming budget.
Role of Teachers in Nation Building
He stressed that teachers occupied a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s future by educating and mentoring younger generations, warning that continued financial insecurity among educators could adversely affect both their performance and morale.
“If teachers remain under financial strain, the quality of education inevitably suffers,” he said. “Moreover, inadequate remuneration may discourage talented individuals from entering the profession, ultimately undermining the country’s education system and long-term development.”
Demands for Allowances and Benefits
Mr Afridi also demanded that all ad hoc relief allowances currently being paid to employees be merged into the basic pay structure to provide greater financial stability and improve retirement benefits.
He further called for a substantial revision of existing allowances, including a 100 per cent increase in medical and house rent allowances, as well as an upward adjustment in conveyance allowances in line with prevailing inflation.
“Immediate steps are required to protect the purchasing power of educators and other government employees so that they can discharge their responsibilities with dignity, peace of mind and professional commitment,” he remarked.
Impact on Education
Highlighting the broader implications of rising prices, the teachers’ leader appealed to the government to exempt essential educational supplies from additional financial burdens and ensure that their prices remain affordable.
He warned that further increases in the cost of notebooks, pens, pencils and paper could place quality education beyond the reach of millions of children, particularly those belonging to low-income households.
Mr Afridi said investment in teachers and education should be viewed not as an expenditure but as a commitment to the country’s future, urging policymakers to adopt employee-friendly measures in the budget to safeguard both the welfare of public servants and the long-term interests of the education sector.
