LAHORE:
A Model Town Society (MTS) employee on Saturday climbed up a high-voltage electricity pole and threatened to commit suicide unless the MTS withdrew disciplinary action taken against him.
His three-hour protest attracted a large crowd of onlookers and television news cameras.
`Muhammad Hasnat, employed as a driver with MTS, had been demoted to security guard for taking ‘too many leaves.’ He had been demoted after he took a four-day leave for the treatment of his son, Yaseen, 1, who is suffering from cancer.
Model Town Society President Sahibzada Saifur Rehman verbally accepted his demand but Hasnat refused to climb down until he saw it in writing. Subsequently, another MTS employee, Abdur Rasheed, was sent to climb the pole with the written assurance.
Hasnat had made several demands. One, that he be restored to the status of driver. Two, that he be made a permanent employee. And third that his salary be increased so he could afford medical treatment for his son.
On the ground, Hasnat’s family arrived and requested that he come down. His father, Haji Younas and mother Razia Bibi told him they would swallow poisonous pills if he committed suicide. They blamed MTS chief security officer Muhammad Saleem for Hasnat’s decision. His brother, Muhammad Bilal, was also present.
Hasnat started climbing the pole around 3pm near the residence of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif and was brought down by Rescue 1122 staff at 6:33pm.
Muhammad Shakeel, a security guard deputed near the pole, told The Express Tribune that Hasnat met him, gave his bicycle to him and asked him to “take his cycle home after his death.”
Shakeel said he thought Hasnat was joking but he noticed Hasnat climbing up the pole.
He said he put the bicycle aside and ran after him but could not stop him. He then informed the MTS control room and MTS security staff arrived.
A security guard speaking on the condition of anonymity told The Tribune Hasnat had gone on a four-day leave a week ago for his son’s treatment, but had been demoted from driver to security guard on his return. He said MTS chief security officer Muhammad Saleem reprimanded Hasnat for taking extra days off.
Traffic remained blocked at Ferozepur Road during the period as onlookers gathered on the road.
MTS employees were also seen clapping in praise of Hasnat’s protest against “undue demotion.”
MTS president Saifur Rehman told The Tribune that the society had accepted Hasnat’s demands. He said Hasnat had been demoted earlier because he took frequent leaves.
He said the MTS knew his son was suffering from cancer and had helped him financially a number of times. Asked if the society would keep its promise, Rehman said the society would discuss it and take a final decision later.
No case had been registered against Hasnat as of Saturday evening.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 2nd, 2012.
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