The Speaker of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly, Babar Saleem Swati, has formed a committee to negotiate with government employees who are protesting outside the KP Assembly regarding their demands related to the budget for the fiscal year 2025-26.
The committee was established at the request of Ahmed Karim Kundi. Chief Wahab Akbar Ayub proposed the inclusion of Provincial Minister Meena Khan Afridi, Provincial Minister Sajjad Barakwal, MPA Shafiullah, and Fazal Elahi in the committee.
Following the formation of the committee, its members left the Assembly for the Assembly Chowk to engage in negotiations with the protesting government employees.
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Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has demanded a 50% increase in the salaries of government employees in the upcoming budget, along with raising the minimum wage to Rs. 50,000.
Chaudhry Manzoor, head of PPP’s Labour Wing, held a press conference in Islamabad where he said, “We are not asking for a 500% raise, only 50%, and the minimum wage should be set at Rs. 50,000.”
He cited a World Bank survey stating that 44% of Pakistan’s population — over 100 million people — are living in poverty.
Chaudhry Manzoor said these demands were shared with the President of Pakistan, who suggested they be brought before the PPP’s parliamentary party.
He further demanded healthcare facilities for industrial workers, an increase in the death grant from Rs. 800,000 to Rs. 1 million, and an increase in the marriage grant from Rs. 400,000 to Rs. 500,000. He also stated that the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) pension, currently around Rs. 10,000, should be increased by 100%.
Chaudhry Manzoor criticised the misuse of the Workers’ Welfare Fund in Punjab, stating it is illegal to divert these funds elsewhere.
He demanded an immediate halt to the privatisation policy. He condemned the closure of Utility Stores, which he said would result in 5,000 employees losing their jobs — a move that violates government promises.
