Pay, pension row sparks K-P strike threat

The All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA) has threatened an indefinite, province-wide strike across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa from October if the provincial government fails to accept its charter of demands.

Speaking at a meeting of the Coordination Council, AGEGA provincial chairman Wazirzada said all government offices, including schools, colleges, municipal bodies, and other departments, would remain shut during the strike.

He called for the restoration of the old pension system, immediate payment of the 30 per cent Disparity Reduction Allowance (DRA), withdrawal of recruitment for daily-wage Class-IV employees, and recognition of job rights for property owners. He also demanded resolution of issues relating to the CP fund, conversion of CB funds back to GP funds, and measures to address the financial crisis faced by local government institutions.

"The salaries of poor employees are at risk due to the financial difficulties of local bodies, while the CP fund has become a major concern for young teachers," Wazirzada said. He added that outsourcing schools, colleges, and hospitals would not be tolerated "under any circumstances."

The AGEGA chief criticized recent amendments to service rules and licensing requirements for teachers, terming them unnecessary. He reminded the government that prior to the budget, employees were assured their issues would be resolved on priority, but "nothing has been delivered."

He stressed that government employees and their families had been instrumental in bringing PTI to power, yet their problems remain unresolved even after 13 years of PTI rule in the province.