ISLAMABAD: Dozens of workers of Pakistan Telecommunication Limited (PTCL) on Saturday blocked traffic on Shaheed-e-Millat Road near China Chowk for over two hours to protest the arrest of their colleagues. A human rights activist Farzana Bari led the procession which blocked a police vehicle carrying the arrested workers of PTCL.
Twelve workers of PTCL were arrested on Saturday for gathering in front of the National Press Club despite the administration having declined permission for holding a protest. The police said the workers had violated Section 144 imposed in the city and were creating a law and order situation.
The PTCL employees were protesting for a pay raise by 50 per cent of their current basic salary as per government’s notification, medical allowance, Eid reward and promotions for all. For this purpose, the employees had launched a campaign a few days ago which became increasingly violent, leading to the arrest of a large number of participants.
During Saturday’s protest, the scene turned ugly yet again when police bundled some of the workers into a police vehicle to take them to Kohsar police station. Dr Farzana Bari blocked the vehicle and demanded that the police officials release the detained PTCL employees. She raised slogans against the PPP-led government and the capital administration for “illegally” arresting the workers.
“Holding protests is a fundamental right of people in any democratic state,” she said.
Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Aamir Ali Ahmed, who was also present at the scene, said the PTCL workers were arrested on account of trouble making and attacking the police. “Police have not arrested those PTCL workers who remained peaceful during the protest. We are bound by law to maintain order under the prevailing circumstances,” he asserted.
Earlier on Friday, Margalla police had arrested 35 PTCL workers for creating a law and order situation and attacking police during a protest in front of the PTCL office in Sector G-8. In a scuffle with the police, four police officials sustained injuries and a police constable received a bullet in his arm. The arrested employees of PTCL were booked under Anti-Terrorism Act and violation of Section 144. The arrested men on Saturday were sent to Adiala Jail on judicial remand, police said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2010.
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