ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Capital Development Authority (CDA) Affairs Ali Nawaz Awan on Monday termed the protest of school teachers against the local government ordinance unjustified and uncalled for as it would not change their service structure.

SAPM, who is MNA from Islamabad and was involved in finalising the Local Government Ordinance, stated that there is some misconception among the teaching community about the ordinance.

He said though Mayor would be administrative head of the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), the service structure of teachers and other employees would remain the same.

He said the employees would remain civil servants and would continue getting salaries through Accountant General of Pakistan Revenue (AGPR).

The SAPM said that under the ordinance, the schools would function under elected Mayor, which is a common practice worldwide.

“Let me make it clear that all their (Schools teaching and non teaching employees) existing service structures and benefits will remain protected,” he said and added he had invited the representatives of school teachers for meeting to remove their concerns.

“Being MNA from Islamabad, I will be on forefront in protecting rights of teachers and other employees. We are here to listen to them to remove their concerns. Planning Minister Asad Umar will also hold meeting with teachers,” he said and added that PTI government is committed to providing maximum facilities to people including teachers.

“All teachers concerns related to local government ordinance will be removed,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2021