LAHORE, July 16: Clerks across the country observed a ‘protest day’ on Wednesday to express resentment against, what they say, government’s refusal to increase their salary and allowances despite manifold increase in the cost of living.

Clerks observed the strike on the appeal of the All Pakistan Clerks Association and took out processions in districts to press for their demand for making their salaries and allowances commensurate with the cost of living.

Clerks in Lahore took out a procession from the Buildings Department on McLeod Road and marched to Lahore Press Club raising slogans against inflation. Workers from livestock, health and forest departments joined the procession on Cooper Road.

Outside the press club, All Pakistan Clerks Association Punjab President Muhammad Afzal and Action Committee Chairman Shafqat Ali Butt addressed the protesters. They said clerks were not ready to accept a 20 per cent increase of their salary against 267 per cent increase in inflation.

They said clerks would continue their protest till the acceptance of their demands. They would stage a demonstration outside the civil secretariat in Islamabad on July 30.