RAWALPINDI: The employees of Rawalpindi Metropolitan Corporation (RMC) on Saturday observed a strike and staged a protest demonstration against the arrest of four officials of the RMC by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE).

The ACE has arrested former town officer Tariq Aziz, town officer Malik Tauseef, superintendent Mohammad Aslam and building Inspector Raja Ijaz Raza on corruption charges.

However, the employees termed the charges wrong and demanded the release of the officials.

The Municipal Workers League (CBA) has set up a protest camp on the premises of the RMC. As a result, no officer or visitor is being allowed to visit the offices.

Haji Farooq Khan, President Municipal Workers League, announced that if the employees were not released the entire city system would be shut down.

He said the administrator of Rawalpindi, who is the commissioner, would be responsible if the services are stopped.

All-Pakistan Clerk Association office bearers Nazir Khanzada Khan, Genghis Bhatti, Chaudhry Mubashir, Raja Aftab, Raja Haroon and others also addressed the protesters.

The speakers said the officials have been made scapegoats. If the building inspectors are made scapegoats, the anti-corruption department and the administration would be responsible for protests.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2020