Special persons protest layoffs

Dozens of special persons who were recently dismissed from their government jobs staged a protest at Liaquat Bagh, blocking Murree Road in Rawalpindi.

The protestors, all of whom had been employed under the special quota for individuals with disabilities, were seeking the reinstatement of 66 employees who were laid off despite prior assurances from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

The dismissed employees had been working in various government departments across the garrison city. The protest intensified as the affected individuals, many of whom had struggled to secure jobs in the first place, expressed their frustration over the sudden terminations.

A heavy police presence was deployed at the scene and after lengthy negotiations, the protest was called off. The police restored traffic flow on Murree Road, which had been partially disrupted due to the demonstration.

Nabeel Satti, leader of the Association of Special Persons, criticised the Punjab government for not protecting the employment rights of those hired under the special quota.