PESHAWAR: All government employees’ grand alliance (AGEGA) staged a protest outside the Peshawar Press Club and in other major cities of the province on Thursday to demand 30 per cent disparity reduction allowance on running pay basis.

The rally was attended by a large number of government employees, who carried banners and placards inscribed with slogans in support of their demands.

In their speeches, the speakers demanded the provincial government to give them 30pc disparity reduction allowance on running basic pay basis. They warned if their demands were not met, they would stage a sit-in outside the provincial assembly on June 25. The protesters later dispersed peacefully.

In Lower Dir district, the government employees during their protest demonstration warned the provincial government of a province-wide protest sit-in outside the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar on June 25, if their demands were not met.

Hold protests for realisation of demands

The protestors gathered outside Timergara Press Club demanded the implementation of the 30pc disparity reduction allowance (DRA) announced by the federal government and a raise in salaries in line with the current inflation rate.

In Swat, public sector employees associations staged a protest outside the Swat Press Club against the provincial budget, which they said was unjust and detrimental to their livelihood.

Swat united labour Union (CBA) of water and sanitation services company backed the protest, terming the budget as anti-employees.

All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA) also held a protest march in Swabi in front of Swabi Deputy Commissioner’s office against the provincial budget for fiscal 2025-26 and demanded reconsideration of increase in pay and pension of public sector employees in line with inflation.

In South Waziristan, teachers under the banner of the All Teachers Union Lower South Waziristan staged a protest in Wana against the recent budget, which they claimed ignored their concerns and rights of educators and government employees.

A large number of teachers and public servants gathered at district press club Wana chanted slogans against the budget and besides salary enhancement also called for immediate regularisation of newly appointed teachers.

Like other districts of the province, government employees in Mohmand staged a protest demonstration in front of the Mohmand Press Club, raising demand for pension reforms, conversion of the contributory pension (CP) fund into the General provident (GP) fund, approval of disparity reduction allowance (DRA), and immediate upgradation of their posts..

Later, the protesters staged a brief sit-in on the Peshawar Bajaur highway, disrupting traffic for some time.

In Dera Ismail Khan too, government employees staged a protest outside the Dera Ismail Khan Press Club and sit-in, demanding salary increments equal to those announced by the federal government. The demonstration was led by AGEGA Chairman Gul Nawaz Khan, who is also the Vice Principal of Islamia School No. 2. In his speech, Gul Nawaz Khan expressed disappointment and said, “It is truly embarrassing as the chief minister hails from our district, yet government employees are deprived of the benefits granted to federal employees. If our demands are ignored, we will hold protest march outside the provincial assembly on June 25.”

The government employees also organised demonstrations in other districts including Charsadda and Karak.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2025