MINGORA: The local teachers held a demonstration here on Thursday to protest the decision of education department about reduction in casual leaves of employees.

The demonstration was organised by All Primary Teachers Association (Apta) that was attended by Class-IV employees and clerks of education department. All schools remained closed as teachers boycotted classes. The protesters chanted slogans against provincial government.

Apta president Mohammad Ibrahim Shah Baba said on the occasion that they would never accept the unjust decision of the government. “We reject the new rules about causal leaves. We will hold demonstrations until government reverses its decision,” he added.

Ali Rehman, a representative of All Pakistan Clerks Association, said that they would back teachers in their struggle. “Clerks from across the country will stand with the teachers in their protest,” he added.

Threaten to demonstrate during visit of chief minister to the district

The porters said that teachers would stage another protest at Grassy Ground on May 22 when chief minister would visit the district. They also threatened to close all government schools on May 25.

They said that All Government Employees’ Coordination Council would organise a huge protest on May 24 at the district public health office in Saidu Sharif against the decision of government about casual leaves and other issues.

PARAMEDICS: All Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Paramedics Association here on Thursday rejected the service rules framed by the provincial government.

The leaders of the association from all seven divisions of the province including Mohammad Rahim, Hamid Zia, Akbar Ali, Mian Gul Aleem, Faizur Rehman and Fayaz Ali Shah told a press conference that they would hold demonstrations across the province against the service rules.

They said that provincial government increased the salaries of doctors by Rs80,000 but increased the salaries of paramedics only by Rs10,000.

“The paramedics work alongside doctors in the hospitals but government is discriminating against them,” they said.

They demanded of the government to devise a proper service structure for paramedics. “The service rules implemented by the federal government in the health department should be replicated in the province. The government must upgrade paramedics from BPS-10 to BPS-14,” they added.

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2016