TIMERGARA: Employees of almost all departments on Friday came out on the roads against the government for its failure to control inflation, and imposition of taxes on the salaried class.

The protesting employees led by their leaders gathered in Balambat, where they demonstrated in the lawns of the communications and works department.

The All Pakistan Clerks Association provincial president Mohammad Shair Tajak, Tanzeem-i-Asateza provincial chief Syed Mohammad Shah, APCA general secretary Mohammad Salim, provincial president of all sub-engineers’ association Malik Bashir Ahmad, provincial general secretary of all primary teachers association Badshah Mehmood, president Wahdat-i-Asateza, Lower Dir Khaliq ur Rehman, president paramedics body Khurshid Iqbal, president all Class-IV employees Ubaid ur Rehaman, president all secretary village councils association Salahuddin and others addressed the rally.

The speakers said the 10 per cent increase announced in salaries of government employees was nothing as the government had imposed taxes even on the low grade employees, which was a joke with them.

The speakers demanded of the government to raise employees’ salaries in proportion to the current price hike. They said Malakand division was a tax-free zone but tax was being deducted from the salaries of even lower grade employees.

They demanded of the government to direct the FBR not to cut tax from the salaries of workers in the division.

GOVT IMPROVING EDUCATION STANDARDS: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa secretary elementary and secondary education Arshad Khan has urged teachers and parents to collectively utilise their energies for providing quality education to the coming generation.

Addressing a function at the BISE Malakand Chakdara as chief guest the other day, he said the government was committed to improving the standard of education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the trend of positive competition among students was a good sign. He said the young generation needed quality education in science and technology. The secretary said lack of interest of students in technical education was resulting in economic crisis in the country.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2019