Protests were staged in Lahore, Faisalabad, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan and Rawalpindi. In Faisalabad, the protesting officials said that higher-ups had snatched banners from the protesters and forced them to end their protest.
The only exception was the Sargodha district, where no protest was held. The rescue officials carried on with their routine duties.
The Sargodha district officer (Emergency) Mazhar Shah said that since the notifications issued by the federal and provincial governments – that listed the departments whose employees would get a raise – did not mention Rescue 1122, they did not see any point in protesting.
The protesters were unanimous in their demands. They said that their salary used to be Rs14,000 per month when they were working on a contractual basis. “Six months ago we were made permanent but are now paid Rs11,000,” they added.
Some of the rescue officials also objected to the government’s not including them in the departments whose employees were given a 50 per cent raise in the budget. The officials also protested the fact that they are not given perks and privileges like other government officials.
The Rawalpindi district officer (Emergency) Dr Abdul Rehman said the DG (Rescue) had talked to the Punjab government and the matter would be resolved soon.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 23rd, 2010.
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