Govt workers in southern Pakistan delay sit-in after talks on pay, pensions

A major protest planned by government employees in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province has been postponed after officials promised to address their long-standing demands over pay, pensions, and benefits.

The Sindh Employees Alliance (SEA), an umbrella group of provincial workers, had threatened to stage a sit-in on October 6 outside Bilawal House in Karachi - the residence of former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, whose Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leads the Sindh government.

The workers have been pressing for reforms on pensions, group insurance and allowances, particularly the Disparity Reduction Allowance (DRA).

After an hours-long meeting at the Sindh Secretariat on Friday, the SEA leadership agreed to delay their campaign until October 21, saying they hoped the government would act on its assurances.

“We hope the government will not go back on its promise,” SEA chief Haji Ashraf Khaskheli said while announcing the postponement.

Government promises action

An eight-member SEA delegation, led by Khaskheli, met Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Hyder Shah under directives from PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

The talks were also attended by the secretaries of Finance, Education, and General Administration, as well as the deputy commissioner of Karachi South.

During the meeting, the chief secretary consulted the chief minister, who promised that the employees’ concerns would be added to the agenda of the Sindh cabinet meeting scheduled for Monday.

The government also announced the formation of a high-level committee comprising four senior bureaucrats and four SEA representatives to draw up practical recommendations. These will be presented to the Sindh cabinet for approval.

Employees resume duties

Following the meeting, Khaskheli confirmed that the Alliance had suspended its protest campaign and directed employees to return to their offices starting October 7. “We are hopeful that the government will honor its commitments,” he said.

Chief Secretary Shah stressed the administration’s willingness to engage with employees, stating: “As Chief Secretary, it is my responsibility to bring legitimate employee issues before the government and ensure constructive solutions.”

Later in the day, the Services General Administration and Coordination Department issued the formal agenda for the upcoming cabinet session. Items included salary revisions, the disparity reduction allowance, group insurance, the benevolent fund and pension reforms.