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PESHAWAR:
The provincial capital witnessed a complete traffic standstill on Wednesday as thousands of government employees took to the streets, staging a massive protest and sit-in at Assembly Chowk that blocked Khyber Road and other key arteries, including access routes to hospitals, for over 10 hours.
The protest, organised under the banner of the Government Employees Grand Alliance, began with a rally that marched from Government High School No. 1 to Assembly Chowk.
Protesters raised slogans demanding a salary hike in line with federal scales, a minimum wage of Rs50,000 for labourers, and the restoration of the previous pension mechanism.
Participants included members from all major departments, including teachers, clerks, and Lady Health Workers. The demonstrators rejected the recently introduced Contributory Pension Scheme (CPC), insisting on a return to the traditional pension model.
In addition to salary parity and pension reform, protesters demanded the fulfilment of previous promises regarding the upgradation of teachers, and called for Lady Health Workers to be granted BPS-9 and BPS-15 based on seniority.
Protesters said they had already held talks with the provincial finance adviser, but claimed he refused to accept their demands.
As the demonstration entered its final stages, government representatives extended an invitation for negotiations.
Talks were held between union leaders and a government committee, during which employees were assured that their demands would be reviewed and their concerns addressed.
After several hours of protest, and in light of the government’s assurance, the sit-in was called off peacefully.
