On Thursday, the Sindh Employees Grand Alliance went on a violent protest as the government failed to reach an agreement.
Hundreds of government employees who were outside the Karachi Press Club, demanded an increase in salaries and pensions by 70 per cent, payment of pensioners’ dues, a 50% rise in House Rent Allowance (HRA) and Disparity Reduction Allowance (DRA).
An official delegation made efforts, by the Sindh Energy Minister and Karachi Commissioner, in efforts towards mediation. Talks however failed and protests ended up in action with hordes of protestors marching to the Chief Ministers House.
Police had set barricades close to the press club to avoid movement of people, however the protesters had bypassed the barricades and got into the Red Zone and reached Polo Ground.
They were repelled by the security forces towards Fawara Chowk where the situation aggravated.
A clash happened as police threw tear gas shells. The place became a war zone hindering traffic and movement.
They said that several of the protesters, as well also a female police officer, had collapsed because of gas. Through the clash, more than 20 protesters were arrested.
The strike is one of the indicators of rising anger among government workers over salary differences and back payments as the clash between the subject workforce and provincial governments intensifies.
