Visually impaired persons protest layoffs

RAWALPINDI:

A group of visually impaired persons staged a demonstration on Murree Road to protest against their termination of employment from the government institutions. Their protest lasted for six hours, throwing the traffic out of gear and stopping the motorists entering Rawalpindi from Faizabad.

The blind protesters, who were hired against temporary positions in the health, education and other departments of the Punjab government and protested against the non-extension of their jobs, dispersed after the district administration came forward to assure them that the extension of employment orders would be issued by Monday.

Nabil Sati, the president of the Voice for Special Persons, an organisation representing blind employees of the government, announced to hold a sit-in again at the same place if the demands were not accepted.

A heavy police contingent was deployed to maintain law and order and divert traffic on alternate routes. Rawalpindi DC sent three officers of the district administration to negotiate with the protesters.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2024.