Balochistan govt employees announce two-day strike, province-wide shutdown

By Asmat Sumalani

QUETTA: Government employees in Balochistan have announced a two-day province-wide strike and administrative lockdown starting Thursday, escalating a long-running dispute over wages and alleged victimisation by the provincial government.

The Grand Alliance, an umbrella organisation representing public sector workers, declared June 11 and 12 as “Black Days,” during which all government offices across the province will remain closed.

Addressing a press conference in Quetta, alliance leaders Quddus Kakar and Haji Shafa Mengal said that a protest camp will be established outside the Press Club on June 15 and will remain active until the announcement of the provincial budget.

The leaders accused the government of reneging on previous agreements and failing to implement the Disparity Reduction Allowance (DRA) despite five months of promises.

They further alleged that the provincial government has shifted from negotiations to “retaliatory actions,” including the forced retirement of alliance officials and unjustified suspensions.

“We have no political agenda; we are protesting for our fundamental rights,” Kakar told the press conference.

He condemned the local administration for denying permission for a workers’ convention in Quetta and alleged that female protesters had been mistreated by security forces during previous demonstrations.

The Alliance has appealed to President Asif Ali Zardari to intervene, criticizing the ruling party—which traditionally campaigns on the slogan of “bread, clothes, and shelter”—for its perceived hostility toward workers.

Government employees from across Balochistan have been urged to march on the provincial capital during the upcoming budget session to intensify the pressure on the provincial cabinet.