KARACHI – Lower staff of the Sindh Education Department returned to the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Tuesday to protest the “failure of the provincial government to honour its commitment to regularise these workers” but their attempts to march towards the Chief Minister’s (CM) House were crushed by law enforcers, who fired tear gas shells and baton-charged them.
The lower grade employees, under the auspices of the All-Sindh Education Department Lower Staff Association (ASEDLSA), had ended their protest on the assurances of Sindh Senior Minister Pir Mazharul Haq that they will be regularised soon. These workers – over 7,000 in number – had been hired in May, 2007 by the then CM Arbab Ghulam Rahim on three-year contracts. They were sacked by CM Qaim Ali Shah on August 20, 2010, but after protracted negotiations involving the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, promises had been made of their reinstatement.
On Tuesday, the lower grade employees again set up camp outside the KPC, and subsequently attempted to march towards the CM House. As before, however, the police quelled any march with batons and tear gas shells. Seven protesters were arrested and shifted to the Artillery Maidan police station, but later released.
The lower staff returned to protest because of The police forcefully pushed them back towards KPC and on resistance the law enforcers baton charged and tear gassed the protesting people. The police arrested seven persons from the spot, but they were released later.
