LAHORE: Wapda employees observed a ‘protest day’ on Tuesday across the country against proposed privatisation of power companies and inflation.

In Lahore, hundreds of workers held a protest rally in front of the press club under the aegis of the All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union. The rally was led by union secretary general Khurshid Ahmed.

Addressing the workers, Mr Ahmed demanded that the federal government cancel the agreements to purchase expensive electricity from independent power producers (IPPs) and instead increase the production of affordable hydropower.

He also appealed to the prime minister to raise salaries and pensions in the federal budget 2026-27, and fix minimum wages at Rs60,000 and pension at Rs40,000.

He urged the government to reduce dependence on foreign loans and adopt a policy of economic self-reliance to eliminate poverty, unemployment, and social inequality.

He also urged federal minister Sardar Owais Laghari to lift the ban imposed on recruitments in the power sector.

The union leader said that instead of following IMF demands, the government should prevent privatisation of profitable electricity companies.

He demanded that the children of employees who died in the line of duty be given jobs under the reserved quota, and the contractual, daily wage, temporary, and contingent employees be regularised.

He urged the government to negotiate with union representatives in accordance with democratic values, broad public and national interest, and the protection of the electricity sector.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2026