Clerks protest pension cuts, allowance freeze

Government offices in Rawalpindi came to a standstill on Thursday as clerical staff observed a complete shutdown to protest recent policy changes introduced by the Punjab government.

The strike was held on the call of the provincial leadership of the All Pakistan Clerks Association (APCA), which has strongly opposed what it calls "draconian" amendments to pension policies, changes in leave encashment rules, and the abolition of Rule 17-A.

Employees also decried the government's failure to raise house rent, conveyance, and medical allowances in line with skyrocketing inflation.

Mass protest rallies were staged in several cities, including large demonstrations outside the Department of Education and the Public Works Department (PWD) office.

Key APCA leaders — including Shehzad Manzoor Kayani, Chaudhry Mubashar, Mirza Tauqeer, Raja Shahid, Raja Aftab, and Saqib Adnan—led the rallies.

Demonstrators carried placards and banners demanding pay raises and fulfilling other longstanding demands.

The protests caused significant disruptions in Rawalpindi, with the rally blocking Murree Road and paralysing traffic for several hours.

Protesters chanted slogans for nearly 10 hours, bringing daily government operations to a halt across all district offices due to locked offices.