RAWALPINDI: On the call of All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union, employees of Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) on Wednesday brought out a rally against inflation and the government’s plan to privatise Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda).

Protesters gathered at Marrir Chowk and brought out a rally from Rawalpindi Press Club, Liaquat Bagh to Iesco Complex. The participants were carrying national flags and banners in support of their demands chanting slogans and condemning the price hike. They spoke out against the proposed privatisation of Wapda at the behest of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

They also pointed out that there was a serious shortage of line staff and a directive to transfer more than 100,000 workers had been issued, which must be prevented. In addition to this, these workers had to work in unsafe working conditions which made them vulnerable to fatal accidents.

The union’s regional chairman, Javed Iqbal Baloch, urged the prime minister and provincial chief ministers to control the prices of daily use essential commodities and arrest profiteers and hoarders, and impose taxes upon “crony capitalists and feudal lords”.

Electricity is a basic need of the people, he said, adding: “The proposed privatisation of profitable electricity companies at behest of the IMF would be against public interest since the privatisation of Karachi Electric Supply Company and independent private power houses miserably failed.

“It would also add hatred among provinces. Since national control of electricity, companies had been providing electricity to 40 million industrial, commercial, agriculture and domestic consumers all over the country,” he said.

He urged the government to intervene and issue a directive stating all vacant posts should be filled at the earliest, adding that proposed transferring of electricity staff would not only add to sufferings of the workers but also impact productivity. He said workers would be compelled to march towards Islamabad in case their just demands were not met.

The rally was also addressed by Tariq Niazi, Imran Khan, Mohammad Ishfaq, Samar Bukhari and Sardar Waqar Ahmad.

Through a resolution, it was recommended to the energy minister to allow 10pc pension and ad hoc relief allowance to electricity workers like in Wapda/NTDC.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2021