ISLAMABAD: Government employees on Wednesday held a rally demanding a 200 per cent increase in salaries and pension considering the price hike and inflation.

The protest was held in front of ‘Q’ Block (Finance Division) at Pakistan Secretariat as the federal budget is set to be announced in coming days. Among the protesters were employees of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), the ministry of education and other ministries.

The protesters marched from “Q” Block to the parliament building, holding banners and placards and chanting slogans advocating for their demands.

Chief coordinator of All-Government Employees Grand Alliance Rehman Bajwa demanded an increase in pensions and opposed changes to the existing pension rules.

“The government may implement new pension rules for employees inducted in the future, but current employees should be exempted,” he asserted.

He encouraged the protesters to come again a day before the budget announcement to reinforce their demands.

Member of Federal Paramedics Association Tanveer Noshahi, while talking to Dawn, said there were different salaries of same grades in different ministries. He demanded that there should be parity in salaries.

He said the government should not abolish the pension of its employees as they will not be able to survive.

“Even if a lump sum amount is given to them, it is more likely that the employees will waste it as they have no experience of businesses and dealing with market. I would suggest to the government to eliminate corruption, not poor employees,” Mr Noshahi said. He also demanded that the maximum age limit to join a govt job should be enhanced to 35 years.

Secretary General Paramedics Association Shahid Khattak said that it had become impossible to survive in the existing salaries.

President Federal Government College Teachers Association (FGCTA) Dr Rahima Rehman emphasised the need to bridge the salary gap between less privileged government servants and their more privileged counterparts.

Professor Farhan Azam, Senior Vice President of FGCTA, called for a 200pc increase in house rent, medical and conveyance allowances. He also urged the government to raise salaries in line with the recommendations of the pay and pension committee.

“Prices of daily use items are skyrocketing,” stated Professor Tahir Bhatti, advocating for salary increases to offset inflation. The rally peacefully ended in front of the parliament building.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2024