Government Employees Protest Pension Reforms, Demand Salary Hike in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: On Wednesday, government employees, under the banner of the All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA), staged a large-scale protest in Islamabad, calling for the withdrawal of pension reforms, a 200% increase in allowances, and salary adjustments in line with recommendations from the 2020 Pay and Pension Committee.

The protest, held at Q Block in the Pakistan Secretariat, brought together over 100 unions and associations from various government departments. Protesters marched to the Parliament building, vowing an indefinite sit-in if their demands are not met by February 10.

Demands Raised by Protesters

• Allowance Adjustments: A 200% hike in house rent, medical, and conveyance allowances.
• Reversal of Pension Reforms: Immediate rollback of recent reforms affecting pensions and leave encashments.
• Regularisation of Employment: Permanent positions for contract and daily wage workers.
• Tax Reductions: Repeal of the tax increase on employees’ salaries.

AGEGA’s Chief Coordinator, Rehman Ali Bajwa, criticized the selective salary increases for judges, parliamentarians, and other top officials, while ignoring the plight of lower-tier government employees. Former Federal Government College Teachers Association president, Dr. Rahima Rehman, also voiced concerns about the negative impacts of recent pension reforms on teachers and other public servants.

Future Plans

The alliance warned of an indefinite sit-in in front of the Parliament if their demands remain unmet by the February deadline.

Protest Ends Peacefully

The protest concluded with participants dispersing in an orderly manner, but the demands and warnings set the stage for further escalation if solutions are not presented promptly.

The AGEGA-led protest reflects growing frustration among government employees over perceived inequality in salary adjustments and pension reforms. With a deadline looming, all eyes are now on the government’s next move.