Govt hopeful of amiable solution to employees protest

Says ready to notify increase in wages of grade 1-16 workers

ISLAMABAD:

The ministers on Wednesday ensured the protesting government employees that the incumbent regime was ready to notify an increase in the wages of grade 1-16 workers.

During a media briefing in the federal capital, a three-member government committee headed by Minister for Defence Pervez Khattak said that the matter will be sorted out amicably and with mutual understanding.

Khattak stated that the committee was holding talks with the employees and had agreed on a number of steps including increasing their salaries.

He said the government was prepared to extend relief to the employees in the form of a special allowance till the next budget is presented, explaining that the recommendations of pay and pension commission would be incorporated in the next budget.

The minister noted that the employees had earlier settled for an increase in salaries of employees of grades 1 to 16.

However, yesterday, the employees demanded an increase in salaries for all grades, he added.

Addressing a news conference, Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid said the government after negotiations with the protesting employees was ready to notify an increase in the wages of grade 1-16 employees.

Rashid alleged that the political parties were instigating the protestors for their personal gains. He said negotiations with the protesting employees were underway.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz said that Prime Minister Imran Khan was concerned about the problems of the government employees and had issued directives for resolution of their issues at the earliest.

He noted that the opposition’s Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) had set a new example of “political opportunism” by trying to take “advantage” from the protest of the employees.

Talking to the media persons, the minister said it was ironic that those who were responsible for the problems of the employees were raising slogans now.

He said the people had rejected opposition's protest movement and its narrative by staying away from their rallies.

“Now they (opposition) reach anywhere they see gathering of the people to cash the situation.”

Shibli observed that previous governments of the PML- N and PPP had ruined the country’s economy and built their assets abroad.

“The current economic woes are the outcome of their inefficiency and ill-planning.”

He said that the cabinet committee comprising Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid and Minister for Finance Hafeez Sheikh was holding talks with the protesting government employees and hoped that a solution would be found soon.

With input from APP