In Lahore, several specially-abled citizens staged a protest outside the Lahore Press Club this week, calling for increased salaries and the regularization of specially-abled government employees. They argue that their compensation has not kept pace with rising inflation in Pakistan.
Protesters claim that there is no established procedure or rule for salary increases or regularization of specially-abled employees, despite repeated complaints and appeals to the administration, which they feel has been unresponsive.
Fayaz, a visually impaired individual, said, “We are merely demanding the creation of a policy to ensure our salary hikes and regularization. They are ignoring our complaints. Some of us haven’t received salary increases in the last two years, and some haven’t been paid for around seven months. Despite our long service, we continue to work on an ad-hoc basis. We have raised this issue nearly every six months. The CM of Punjab recently said she is unaware of our issues. If the CM doesn’t know, how can others be expected to? Some officers attempted to address us, but no conclusions were reached. We will continue protesting until our voices are heard.”
Abdul Waheed, another visually impaired protester, added, “All of us are on temporary contracts that expire every three months. We have to go from office to office to get a new job, which sometimes takes up to six months, leaving us unemployed in the meantime. With inflation affecting everyone, our situation is even more difficult. I don’t understand why the government doesn’t recognize our problems.”
Saqib Hussain, another protester, stated, “Everyone in Pakistan faces employment challenges, so we are here to demand what is rightfully ours. We are asking to be treated as regular citizens, with the same rights and benefits as others.”