KHAR: Scores of sacked guards demanded of the local administration to restore their services in different bazaars of Bajaur tribal district.

Totaling 25, they warned that they would agitate if their demand wasn’t met immediately.

Addressing a news conference at the Bajaur Press Club here on Thursday, Khista Mohammad, Shoaib Khan, Burhan, Arman Khan and many others said they had served as guards in Inayat Kalli bazaar, the largest business centre of the region, for eight years but their services were terminated by the administration lately without assigning any reasons.

They claimed that their appointment was made in line with an agreement signed in 2010 by them and the then administration officials.

The guards said at the time of appointment, the then administration had assured them of job security saying their services will be permanent and won’t be terminated.

They also said the officials had assured them that they would be recruited in Bajaur Levies force after three years service as guards in the bazaar.

The guards said majority of their colleagues were educated and had received basic trainings of security and traffic management.

They said they had performed their duty with honesty and commitment despite getting very low salary and facing problems.

The guards said the unexpected job termination by the local administration had upset them along with family members as they had spent the most precious time of their life serving as guards in the bazaar.

They said they were very poor people and their families depended on their salaries and therefore, their sacking had caused serious financial problems for them.

The guards requested the administration to restore them.

They asked the chief minister, deputy commissioner of Bajaur and other senior officials and local lawmakers to play due role in the restoration of their jobs.

They warned that they would agitate if their demand wasn’t accepted.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2019