HYDERABAD / SUKKUR / LARKANA / BADIN: Revenue officials on Tuesday observed a strike and held protest demonstrations at all district headquarters against withdrawal of their magisterial powers, cuts in the pension of their retired colleagues and other issues.

In Hyderabad, their association pitched a protest camp outside Shehbaz Building, where several officers observed a token hunger strike.

They told local reporters that their magisterial powers had been withdrawn which exposed them to threat of physical harm. They also deplored that their pension funds had been drastically slashed, causing financial issue to the already inflation-hit retired colleagues and concern to those attaining age of retirement.

In Sukkur, Jacobabad, Ghotki, Kandhkot-Kashmore, Shikarpur and Larkana districts, revenue officials took out rallies and held demonstrations in favour of their demands. The protesting officials stayed away from work for the day and some of them observed a token hunger strike on a call given by their association.

People suffer as taluka offices locked, work suspended

A large number of revenue employees assembled at the office of the Jacobabad deputy commissioner from where they started a march. They were carrying placards inscribed with their demands, and raising slogans. After passing through various roads, the marchers returned to the starting point to hold a demonstration.

The association’s district president, Farhan Ali Lashari, along with Kamil Khan Lashari, Mushtaq Brohi, Mohammad Ishaq Malik and others spoke to the protesters.

They strongly condemned government’s decision to apply deduction in pension, calling it “an attack on employees’ right”, especially at a time when unbridled inflation had badly affected the working class.

They said that the withdrawal of revenue officials’ magisterial powers had rendered them insecure, pointing out that as part of their official responsibilities, they had to settle property disputes between rivals, who would often react angrily.

They demanded restoration of their magisterial powers for the sake of their safety.

In Badin, revenue offices were locked by employees, who joined in a protest demonstration at the deputy commissioner’s office.

They observed a ‘pen down strike’ at their respective taluka offices.

The association’s president, Ali Nawaz Samoon, and other members, including Allah Bakhsh Khaskheli, Foto Khokhar and Allah Bachayo Qambrani locked the main gate of the DC office in Badin and observed a token hunger strike in a camp pitched there for the purpose.

The protesters kept raising slogans in favour of their demands during the course of the protest.

Speaking to local reporters, they said their demands were restoration of revenue officials’ magisterial powers, reversal of the decision to apply cuts in pension, granting of DRA allowance, making legislation for their safety and security and ensuring a fair treatment as government officials.

Senior officials, including heads of their sections, also joined in the protest at every taluka office of the revenue department.

The strike led to suspension of routine business at all revenue and sub-registrar offices across Badin district.

People coming to the offices from far off areas had to return home without getting their issues resolved.

Meanwhile, leaders of the association told the media that they would widen the scope of their protest if their legitimate demands were not met.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2025