Government employees in Shangla staged a protest demonstration on Wednesday under the banner of the All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGIGA), demanding acceptance of their longstanding demands and warning of an expanded protest movement if the provincial government failed to respond.
Protest Gathering in Alpuri
Employees from various departments gathered at Government Primary School Alpuri No. 1, where a meeting was held under the chairmanship of AGIGA Shangla chief Islam Yousafzai. Representatives of several employees' and teachers' organisations attended the protest meeting, including officials of the All Teachers Association, All Pakistan Clerks Association and other staff bodies.
Speakers' Demands
Addressing the gathering, speakers urged the government to resolve employees' issues without delay, warning that failure to do so would intensify protests across the province. Islam Yousafzai said government employees were facing growing economic hardship amid soaring inflation, rising fuel prices and increasing utility costs.
He demanded protection of pension benefits for government servants and called for the withdrawal of policies affecting pensions. He also urged the government to merge ad hoc allowances into the basic pay structure and revise pay scales accordingly.
Opposition to Outsourcing
The protesters further demanded an immediate halt to the outsourcing of government institutions, arguing that privatisation policies were creating uncertainty among employees and adversely affecting public services.
