ISLAMABAD: A section of the Radio Pakistan employees’ union on Monday locked the gates of its headquarters, prompting police and other law enforcement agencies to cordon off the building to prevent the protesters from moving into the Red Zone.

Tension prevailed in the area as the union members led by its Secretary General Mohammad Ijaz decided to observe a protest on Monday morning and closed the main gate of Radio Pakistan headquarters situated on Constitutional Avenue facing the Prime Minister Secretariat and Islamabad High Court on the other side.

After failed negotiations with the protesting employees, the management of Radio Pakistan called the police.

Mr Ijaz addressed the protesters and claimed that the police officials had entered the premises to arrest some of them.

Speakers at the gathering highlighting their issues said that last year there was a 25 per cent salary increase for all government employees and this year it was 20pc, but Radio Pakistan employees had not been given even last year’s increase.

They demanded clearing the dues of regular employees and pensioners as they have not been paid their arrears, pension, medical bills, housing, and hiring allowances for many months.

Mr Ijaz said regular employees had not been given promotions for more than a year.

As the protest continued, the police, FC and Rangers maintained a strong presence at the gates of Radio Pakistan headquarters and at several spots along its boundary.

While there was no shelling or any untoward incident, the situation remained tense throughout Monday.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2024