Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the IBA test-cleared teachers, who were protesting against the Sindh government outside the press club on Tuesday, for not giving them the status of permanent employees that they were promised. The police also arrested a number of protesters. Separately in a statement issued the same day, Senior Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq said the IBA test-passed teachers should pay no attention to rumours and perform their deities and the provincial government would regularise them soon as promised earlier through an ordinance. He said he has directed the education secretary and the director of schools not to stop teachers from performing their duties. If any officer of the Education Department stops any teacher from working, strict action would be taken against the former. The minister asked the teachers to continue working and contact him on his cell number 03322797375 if they are not allowed to perform their duties. “The present democratic government has provided jobs to the teachers on merit and would also confirm their status, because talented and efficient teachers are the need of the hour,” he said. “The bill on confirming the permanent status of IBA test-passed teachers could not be presented in the Sindh Assembly as its session was prorogued, but it has been sent to the chief minister as an ordinance for approval and then it would be sent to the governor for approval,” he added.