Employees protest abolition of 17,000 posts

Class-IV government employees across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have strongly protested the provincial government's decision to abolish 17,000 vacant posts in various departments. In response, employees have threatened to boycott work and launch a province-wide protest campaign.

According to official sources, the provincial government has finalized a plan to eliminate the vacant Class-IV positions — including those of watchmen, peons, gardeners, and sanitation workers — and replace them with daily wage appointments. The finance department has reportedly submitted formal recommendations to senior authorities, with implementation expected soon.

Employee unions have reacted sharply, terming the move "oppressive" and a serious threat to the foundations of public service machinery. In an initial joint meeting held by employees from various departments, union leaders vowed resistance and hinted at launching a protest movement.

On Thursday, Class-IV workers held a demonstration, chanting slogans against the government and demanding immediate withdrawal of the policy. Speaking to the media, Akbar Khan Mohmand, President of the Class-IV Employees Union, said, "The government is trying to shift the burden of the financial crisis onto low-paid workers who barely earn Rs20,000 to Rs25,000 a month. If budget cuts are needed, they should start by trimming redundant senior officers who are drawing multiple salaries for the same duties."

Press Secretary Qasim Khan argued that essential departments such as education, health, local government, and irrigation cannot function without Class-IV employees. "Hiring daily wagers in their place will severely impact institutional performance," he warned.

General Secretary Ashfaq Khattak accused the government of double standards. "On one hand, they are scrapping essential staff positions, and on the other, administrative posts are multiplying within departments," he said. "New authorities and projects are being launched regularly, with fresh recruitment under way."

The union has demanded immediate reversal of the policy, warning that failure to do so will force employees to take to the streets and paralyze the government machinery.