LAHORE: Hundreds of All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA) workers on Thursday staged a protest to demand restoration of leave encashment, pension and gratuity, 30 per cent disparity allowance and 50pc increase in salaries.

The government employees gathered outside the Civil Secretariat denouncing what they described as anti-employee policies and worsening economic conditions. They were carrying placards and banners and chanted slogans against inflation.

Addressing the gathering, AGEGA leaders, including Khalid Sanghera, Prof Faiza Rana, Rana Liaqat, Mukhtar Gujjar and others said that the Punjab government had been subjecting employees to economic exploitation for the past three years.

They claimed that key financial benefits had been withdrawn, while delays persisted in implementing their demands.

Speakers criticised the outsourcing of hospitals and educational institutions, arguing that it had adversely affected service delivery in the health and education sectors and rendered thousands of workers jobless.

They also expressed concern over the abolition of the regularisation act, saying it had left contract employees insecure and demoralised.

Referring to the recent increase in petroleum prices, the protesters said inflation had surged significantly, placing an unbearable burden on salaried individuals, particularly government employees.

They said although a 30pc disparity allowance had been announced in the budget, its implementation was delayed for several months.

The speakers demanded that the government immediately notify the recommendations of a committee constituted by the chief secretary.

They warned that AGEGA would announce its next course of action at a meeting scheduled for April 20 if their demands were not fulfilled.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2026