PESHAWAR: Thousands of government employees brought central Peshawar to a halt this week as they staged a large-scale protest near the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, demanding the reversal of proposed pension reforms. The demonstration, organized by the All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA), disrupted traffic along major routes, including the bustling GT Road and Khyber Road and Peshawar press club.
Protesters began their march from Government Higher Secondary School No. 1 and moved toward Assembly Chowk, where they blocked roads and chanted slogans against what they termed “anti-worker policies.” The protestors, which included schoolteachers, sanitation staff, clerks, and other public sector workers, voiced anger over recent government proposals that would reduce the commuted pension rate and alter post-retirement benefits. Many accused the federal and provincial governments of acting under pressure from the International Monetary Fund.
“This isn’t just a policy issue; it’s an attack on the dignity of retired workers,” said one protester, holding a placard demanding full pension rights. Others expressed fear that the reforms would push lower-grade employees into financial hardship after decades of service.
The demonstration, which continued into the evening, brought traffic to a standstill in parts of the city. Commuters reported delays of several hours, and many were forced to abandon their travel plans altogether.
Law enforcement authorities moved in to contain the situation, but clashes broke out when police attempted to disperse the crowd. Tear gas was used, and several protestors were reportedly injured in the scuffle. A number of arrests were made, further inflaming tensions among demonstrators.
In response to the police action, AGEGA announced a province-wide “Black Day” and vowed to expand their protests if the government failed to withdraw the proposed reforms. Union leaders claimed that dialogue efforts had been ignored, leaving them with no choice but to take to the streets. “The government has left us no option. These reforms are unacceptable, and our movement will continue until our demands are met,” said one of the alliance’s spokespersons.
The provincial government has yet to issue a detailed statement, although sources within the administration suggest that backdoor talks are underway in an effort to defuse the situation. The AGEGA protest marks one of the largest demonstrations by public employees in the province in recent years. It highlights the growing tension between austerity-driven policy changes and the needs of a workforce already grappling with inflation and economic uncertainty.
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