16 February 2004	Monday	24 Zilhaj 1424

HYDERABAD, Feb 15: All Pakistan Clerks Association, Sindh chapter, here on Sunday warned that if their problems were not resolved, they would launch a protest movement.

Speaking at a news conference at the press club, acting provincial president of the association, Zulfiqar Shaikh, and others said clerks were meted out step-motherly treatment and made scapegoats for the blunders of the officers.

They said due to corrupt practices of SDEO (women) Hyderabad city who had made illegal appointments of teachers, all clerks of her office were sacked notwithstanding the fact that 55 women teachers who had been allegedly issued fake appointment letters had been reinstated in service.

They said due to devolution of power, regional offices had been abolished and the low paid government employees were compelled to visit the Sindh secretariat even for the resolution of their minor problems.

They complained that posts reserved for clerical cadre in the education department such as administrative officer, headmasters of high schools were being appointed on these posts.