RAWALPINDI: Teachers, who had staged a sit-in in Banigala, ended their protest after the city administration led by Commissioner retired Captain Mohammad Mehmood held a meeting with them.

On Saturday, despite baton charge and use of tear gas by Islamabad police, the protesters did not end the sit-in and refused to negotiate with Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat.

The protesters were then invited to the Rawalpindi commissioner office for talks. A spokesperson for the commissioner said Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi retired Capt Anwarul Haq and Mr Shafqaat were also present.

He said all demands of the protesting teachers were discussed and various solutions were deliberated, he said, adding the dialogue was a success because they assured officials that they will end the protest.

A meeting between the teachers and Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat has been arranged in Lahore on Dec 21, he said, adding they were protesting against the government’s directive to pass the Punjab Public Service Commission test for regularisation of their services. The teachers were of the view that they had been recruited after clearing NTS tests and now they were being asked to appear in examination after six years in service.

Secondary School Teachers Association Core Committee Chairman Qasim Bukhari said Rawalpindi and Islamabad administrations have assured them that they will play their role towards solving the issue.

He said if the demands of teachers are not met, they would begin the sit-in again.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2020