Visually impaired protesters demand four-month salaries

Say their families are starving due to govt apathy

DERA GHAZI KHAN: Visually impaired people took out a protest rally against non-payment of salaries in Dera Ghazi Khan on Thursday.

Hundreds of protesters from special education department and municipal corporation gathered at Musharraf Chowk and shouted slogans against the government for not releasing their four-month salaries. They were also holding banners and placards inscribed with their demands.

Later, the protesters took out a rally that culminated at Kutchery Chowk and staged a sit-in. As a result, a massive traffic jam was witnessed on major thoroughfares and commuters remained stranded for hours.

While speaking to The Express Tribune, Blind Association divisional president Abdul Razzaq said, “The government is not releasing our four-month salaries despite fulfilling our duties with responsibility.” He added, “Our families are starving as we do not have money to buy food and pay school fee.”

He maintained, “We approached the mayor and deputy commissioner several times over the matter but to no avail.”

“We have become fed up of lip service and want the government to take practical measures to address the issue at the earliest,” Abdul Razzak said.

Meanwhile, the protesters demanded the Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take notice of the matter and issue instructions to the authorities concerned to release their salaries.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10^th, 2017.