Govt employees’ protest against privatization, pension rules enters fourth day

2026-02-13 - 21:56

Fida Hussnain The All Government Employees Grand Alliance Pakistan (AGEGA) continued their protest for the fourth consecutive day on Friday, demonstrating against the privatization of public sector units and sections of various government departments as well as pension rules. The protest is being staged outside the main building of the Civil Secretariat near Aiwan-e-Adle, where employees have blocked both sides of the road, bringing traffic to a standstill and drawing attention to their demands. The primary focus of the protesters remains the withdrawal of a notification that amends leave encashment rules. According to AGEGA, this amendment violates terms and conditions agreed upon at the time of recruitment and is unfairly applied only to Punjab government employees, while federal employees remain unaffected. “We have certain demands, including the withdrawal of the notification on leave encashment, which has been acknowledged as genuine by both Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz,” read the first page of AGEGA’s charter of demands. The alliance, composed of various government employee unions and associations, has been at the forefront of movements advocating for the rights and welfare of government employees. Protesters have also voiced concerns that despite assurances, the Finance Department has yet to take any concrete steps to withdraw the controversial notification. In addition to their main demand, AGEGA has called for parity with federal employees regarding allowances, specifically a 30 percent Disparity Reduction Allowance. They have strongly opposed any Public-Private Partnerships or privatization of public sector units in Punjab. Other demands include the restoration of Rule 17-A, regularization of all contract employees, and the upgradation of M.Phil and Ph.D. degree-holder teachers in the School Education Department as well as employees of the National Health Programme. Protesters have also urged the government to restore tax rebates for full-time teachers and researchers and to withdraw notifications seen as acts of victimization against the leadership of the Grand Health Alliance. “This protest may continue for a longer period if the higher authorities of the Punjab government do not sit with us, listen to our concerns, and fulfill our demands,” said Prof. MohsinRazaJoyia, Chairman of Nawa-e-Assatiza, while speaking to Pakistan Observer. Prof. Nadeem Ahmed Ashrafi, President of Nawa-e-Assatiza, also reaffirmed that AGEGA would continue to lead the protest until all demands are addressed and employees’ grievances are resolved. The ongoing demonstration highlights the growing discontent among Punjab’s government employees over policies perceived as unfair and discriminatory, signaling a tense standoff that could persist unless the government engages in meaningful dialogue.