PESHAWAR: The All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA) has declared February 10 a “Black Day” for government employees, recalling what it described as state repression against public servants who demanded their rights. The announcement was made at a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, where AGEGA leaders also warned of a province-wide protest movement after Eid-ul-Fitr if their demands are not met.

Provincial Chairman AGEGA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Professor Abdul Hameed Afridi, and Central Chairman AGEGA Pakistan, Haider Ali Khan Stanizai, criticized federal and provincial governments for what they termed anti-employee policies. Afridi said February 10 marked the day when employees were baton-charged and arrested in Islamabad, adding that AGEGA would observe it annually as a Black Day.

AGEGA demanded restoration of the old pension system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, implementation of a 30 percent Disparity Reduction Allowance, and withdrawal of the Contributory Pension Fund, calling it an unjust policy imposed on youth. The alliance also sought regularisation of teachers appointed after July 2022, upgradation of posts, restoration of abolished Class-IV positions, and permanent appointments instead of ad-hoc or contract-based hiring.

Leaders opposed outsourcing of schools, colleges, and hospitals, warning that any attempt to privatise public institutions would be resisted. They also demanded resolution of municipal employees’ salary and pension issues, creation of librarian posts in higher secondary schools, and regularisation of Water and Sanitation Company staff.

Other demands included a service structure for IT teachers, restoration of BPS-6 operator posts in the Public Health Engineering Department, and a 50 percent tax rebate for researchers and educators. AGEGA also called for increases in house rent, conveyance, and medical allowances in view of rising inflation.

Concluding the press conference, Afridi warned that if the government failed to respond, AGEGA and the Coordination Council would launch a protest campaign after Eid, including closure of schools, hospital OPD boycotts, pen-down strikes, rallies, office lock-downs, and a sit-in outside the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.