Quetta, Jan 27 (NationPress) Members of the Balochistan Employees Grand Alliance (BEGA) organized protest rallies in Quetta and Khuzdar, Pakistan, advocating for their demands, which notably include the disparity reduction allowance, as reported by local media on Tuesday.

The protest in Quetta commenced from Bacha Khan Chowk and proceeded to the City Police Station. Upon reaching the police station, the demonstrators staged a sit-in, chanting slogans against the government due to its refusal to meet their demands, as highlighted by Pakistan’s leading newspaper Dawn. Police officials noted that 11 employees voluntarily offered themselves for arrest during the protest.

In Khuzdar, government employees also rallied to voice their concerns. The demonstration was led by prominent figures including the district president of the alliance, Aslam Notani, Manzoor Naushad, president of APCA Kalat Division, Aslam Zahri, General Secretary, Rashid Ahmed Ghulamani, president of the Paramedical Staff Association, and Rashida Zahri.

A significant turnout of employees from various government sectors participated, expressing discontent over the delay in addressing their demands.

Previously, on January 22, the Unemployed Pharmacists’ Action Committee in Balochistan criticized the government’s announcement of a limited number of job openings for over 2,000 unemployed pharmacists, describing it as “akin to offering a pinch of cumin to a camel.”

During a press briefing at the Quetta Press Club, UPAC General Secretary Qasim Aziz Mengal labeled the decision unacceptable and urged the creation of additional positions along with a transparent and merit-based recruitment process, according to Dawn.

He condemned the hiring of pharmacists to BPS-17 positions via walk-in interviews, claiming it lacked transparency and favored certain individuals. Concerns were raised regarding the absence of pharmacy departments in private hospitals, and he criticized the health department’s recent notification for contract-based vacancies for doctors and pharmacists.

On January 20, numerous government employees were arrested in Quetta as police intervened to prevent a sit-in in the Red Zone, where employees demanded the implementation of the Disparity Reduction Allowance. During the protest, mobile internet services were suspended in Quetta and surrounding areas, as reported by local media.

Government employees from Balochistan had converged in Quetta following an announcement from the workers’ organization alliance regarding a sit-in to voice their demands, as per The Balochistan Post. In recent days, protests have disrupted operations in various government offices.

Authorities had set up containers at major entry points and entirely sealed off the Red Zone to deter protesters from reaching the area. However, after the blockade, employees began congregating outside the Quetta Press Club, only to be met by police who prevented their assembly, leading to multiple arrests on-site.