Government employee unions, including the All Pakistan Clerks Association (APCA), have announced a protest sit-in outside Parliament House on Monday, demanding approval of their demands.
Thousands of government employees — both men and womenwill march on foot from PIMS Hospital to Parliament House and stage an indefinite sit-in.
According to organisers, employees unable to reach Islamabad will be forced to completely shut down government offices and schools in their respective cities. Academics from colleges and universities have also pledged support for the movement, they said.
Islamabad police have put strict security measures in place for the march.
The protest leaders, including Rahman Bajwa, Rana Liaqat, Kashif Shehzad Chaudhry, Shehzad Manzoor Kayani, Chaudhry Mubashir, Basharat Iqbal Raja, and Shafiq Bhalwalia, have demanded a 200 per cent salary increase, 100 per cent raise in all allowances, restoration of pension rules, a halt to the sale of public schools, an end to privatisation of entities like Railways and power companies, and reinstatement of 60,000 abolished government job positions.
They have also criticised the Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, stating that while she initially agreed to their demands before assuming office, she later "betrayed" employees by proceeding with school closures and layoffs.
Protesters have vowed to continue their sit-in until their demands are met.
Employees from other cities are expected to arrive in Rawalpindi and Islamabad by Sunday night.
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