Public Employees Demand Fair Wages Amid Soaring Inflation in Gwadar Protest

Gwadar: Leaders of the Balochistan Grand Alliance have urged the government to act as a responsible guardian rather than pushing public employees into hardship. On the final day of a three-day hunger strike at Government Modern High School Gwadar, the alliance called for salary and benefit increases aligned with inflation in the upcoming provincial budget.
During their speeches, leaders emphasized that in any society, the government plays a parental role for its employees, who are essential in running the state’s administration. However, they criticized the current leadership for neglecting workers’ well-being as economic pressures continue to grow.

Protesters pointed out that while salaries and perks for members of parliament have seen a 100% to 200% increase, ordinary government employees are burdened by rising prices and heavy taxes. They stressed that the ongoing protests are not driven by desire but necessity, as their repeated calls for relief have gone unanswered.

The alliance warned that if demands remain unmet, a stronger wave of protests will begin after Eid.

Leaders further stated that the three-day hunger strike was held across Balochistan under the alliance’s banner to raise awareness of their 12-point charter of demands. These demands include:

• Increasing salaries and benefits in line with inflation,
• Reversing pension rule reforms is considered anti-employee,
• Automating the retirement process, like in Punjab,
• Raising house rent, medical, and conveyance allowances,
• Shifting powers from the AG Office to district-level treasury offices.

They also thanked political parties and civil society groups for their support and urged all 52 affiliated parties to unite and continue the peaceful struggle.

Speakers at the event included Haji Qadir Jan, Dr. Barkat Nadeem, Hussain Akbar, Nadil Saleh, and Jalal Miah. Representatives from Jamaat-e-Islami, BNP (Mengal), National Party, and notable local figure Abid Raheem Sehrabi also attended, showing solidarity with the protesters.

Published in The Gwadar Post, 04 June 2025