After backlash, AJK govt backtracks on reducing Eid holidays

Public servants laud decision; police, other departments to observe one holiday.

MIRPUR:

After receiving criticism and threats of disobedience by employees in Mirpur division, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday withdrew its order to reduce their gazetted Eidul Fitr holidays from three to one.

An order issued by the office of Commissioner Mirpur division declared that all government employees based in Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber districts of Mirpur division are allowed three days off to celebrate Eidul Fitr and are required to resume duties thereafter.

However, officials of the district administration, police and employees of essential services departments in the division will observe only one holiday on Eid, the order stated.

Public servants, who had earlier threatened to take to the streets if the three-gazetted holidays for celebrating Eid were not revived by Saturday, lauded the decision.

“Government employees hailing from far flung areas outside Mirpur division will now be able to celebrate Eid with their families at their ancestral places,” said Akram Mughal, the general secretary of All Pakistan
Clerks Association’s Mirpur chapter.

He said that the government’s decision to reduce Eid holidays had spread a wave of concern and resentment among employees. He maintained that the government should refrain from taking such decisions in haste.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2012.