PublicSectorProtest – Grand Alliance Extends Sit-In Over Service Reforms

PublicSectorProtest – A coalition of public employees maintained its sit-in for a third straight day on Thursday, intensifying pressure on the provincial administration over a series of contested service reforms. The demonstration, led by a joint platform of teachers and government workers, has drawn participants from multiple cities and departments, reflecting widening concern among public servants about recent policy changes.

Protest Enters Third Day Amid Administrative Strain

Operating under the banner of the Grand Alliance, the group has declined to withdraw its protest without formal, written assurances from the government. Demonstrators assembled early outside the main administrative complex, holding placards and voicing objections to what they describe as measures that weaken employee protections.

Although the gathering remained peaceful, authorities deployed a significant police presence around the site. Traffic flow in the surrounding administrative district was disrupted as security arrangements and road diversions slowed movement during peak hours. The developments were first reported by The Express Tribune.

Women Educators Take a Prominent Role

One of the defining features of the ongoing protest has been the visible participation of women teachers. Educators traveling from Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan and Rawalpindi addressed the crowd in rotation, outlining how the recent changes have affected both professional stability and household finances.

Several speakers said uncertainty over benefits and service conditions has led to declining morale in public schools. They argued that employees who entered public service with clear expectations are now facing shifting rules that complicate long-term financial planning.

Dispute Over Contract Employees and Rule 17-A

At the core of the standoff is the status of thousands of contract-based employees. Protest representatives maintain that many of these workers meet eligibility criteria for permanent induction and are seeking restoration of Rule 17-A, a provision that previously facilitated regularisation.

Union leaders insist that without reinstating mechanisms for job security, a large segment of the workforce will remain vulnerable to short-term contracts. They say this uncertainty not only affects individual livelihoods but also undermines continuity within the public education system and other departments.

Concerns Over Pension and Leave Benefits

Changes to retirement-related benefits have further fueled discontent. Participants have objected to revisions in leave encashment policies, claiming that retirees now stand to receive lower payouts than anticipated under earlier frameworks.

Family pension adjustments have also drawn criticism. Employees argue that the revised structure leaves surviving family members with reduced financial protection. According to protest leaders, the reforms amount to cost-saving measures introduced without adequate consultation with stakeholders.

Demand for Pay Progression Recognition

Another issue raised during the sit-in concerns pay scales linked to academic qualifications. Members of the alliance are pressing for improved salary grades for employees holding advanced degrees such as MPhil and PhD credentials. They contend that without appropriate financial recognition, incentives for higher education and professional development will diminish.

Speakers at the protest said public institutions depend on skilled and qualified personnel, and compensation policies should reflect those standards.

Government Outreach and Protesters’ Response

By late evening, reports surfaced of informal communication between officials and representatives of the alliance. However, organisers dismissed the outreach as insufficient, stating that verbal assurances would not satisfy their demands.

Protest leaders reiterated that only official notifications with legal standing would lead to a suspension of the sit-in. Despite heightened security measures, participants vowed to continue their demonstration until written commitments are issued.

The ongoing protest has placed the provincial administration under growing scrutiny, particularly at a time when public sector reforms are being closely watched. For now, the standoff remains unresolved, with both sides appearing firm in their positions.