Sahiwal: Thousands of provincial and federal government employees, including a significant number of women, took to the streets on Tuesday to protest against recent government policies, signaling a major escalation in the standoff between public servants and the Punjab administration.
The rally saw massive participation from across the region, with protesters traveling from Depalpur, Renala Khurd, Arifwala, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Okara, (Khanewal), Vehari, and Burewala.
Mobilization for the “Lahore March”
Led by the provincial and central leadership of the All Government Employees Grand Alliance (Agega), including Rehman Bajwa, the protest is part of a province-wide mobilization campaign. This movement serves as a precursor to the planned grand march in Lahore scheduled for March 30.
The protest follows a previous nine-day sit-in outside the Civil Secretariat in Lahore, which was postponed in late February after negotiations with the Additional Chief Secretary. During those talks, the government was granted a 30-day window to address the employees’ grievances—a deadline that protesters claim is fast approaching without visible progress.
Core Grievances: Pensions, Outsourcing, and Rights
Protesters raised slogans against what they termed the “apathy” of the Punjab government toward the problems of approximately 1.2 million public sector employees. The speakers highlighted several critical demands:
Pension Cuts: Immediate withdrawal of the Dec 2, 2024, notification which introduced a 40% to 45% cut in pensions and gratuities.
Restoration of Rule 17-A: Demand for the reinstatement of the rule that ensures employment rights for the children of employees who die or become incapacitated during service.
End to Outsourcing: Strong opposition to the “third phase” of outsourcing public schools and health facilities, which leaders characterized as a violation of fundamental constitutional rights.
Pay Disparity: Implementation of a 30% disparity reduction allowance in Punjab, aligning it with federal policy.
Regularization: The permanent appointment of contract employees and pay/service protection for college teachers appointed between 2002 and 2012.
A Call for Unity
The rally concluded with a firm commitment to intensify the struggle. Agega leadership announced that the next phase of the rally will move to Sargodha and Gujranwala next week.
Sources indicate that while different factions of Agega (Pakistan and Punjab) are currently in separate dialogues with the government, local activists are calling for a unified front. “Unity is our only strength against these regressive policies,” one local leader stated.
The government has yet to issue a formal response to Tuesday’s mass mobilization, but all eyes are now on the provincial capital as the March 30 deadline looms.