The government employees stage protest demonstration in the federal capital to against the pension reforms introduced by the government, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel.
A heavy contingent of police reached to Secretariat Chowk after the protesting staff closed both gates of the government secretariat. Police and protesters are reported to clash in the area. DIG Police, SP and other officials leading a large number of police force.
All Pakistan government Employees Alliance has presented a charter of demand before the government otherwise they will continue their protest.
They demanded that discrimination in salaries of employees between various federal government institutions should be abolished. They demanded upgradation of all federal employees on provincial pattern with incentives.
All Pakistan government Employees Alliance also sought leave encashment and pension reforms of federal employees should be withdrawn.
They seek withdrawal of tax imposed on salaries in Budget 2024-25. They called for better reforms done instead of closure and privatization of schools.
The demanded that security of employees' jobs should be ensured during the privatization of institutions and pension reforms should be rolled back immediately. The civil servants demanded that medical, conveyance, house allowance should be increased by 100 percent. The government employees have demanded the withdrawal of the pension reforms, introduced by the government from January 1, 2025. Protestors also demanded 10 percent hike in disability allowance.
The federal government has implemented major pension reforms effective from January 1, 2025. The key changes introduced in pension rule included a ban dual pension and discontinuing multiple pensions for individuals to curb government liabilities amid a growing debt crisis.
Revising pension calculation methods, the government has based future increases on an average of salaries drawn over the last two years of service, rather than the last drawn salary.
The government was of the view that the pension reforms aimed at saving billions annually, easing the financial burden on national kitty.
Reporter Baber Shahzad Turk