Balochistan government imposed ban on rallies and gatherings in Quetta on Sunday, whereas, the government employees protested on Monday ignoring the ban.
The government of Balochistan imposed a ban on gatherings and protest rallies, processions for a period of 15 days in district Quetta. The home department issued a notification in this regard on Sunday evening.
A notification issued from the office of the Secretary Home Balochistan imposed Section 144 in Quetta for 15 days. The notification mentioned that the ban imposed in view of increasing cases of the novel coronavirus in the city. The ban is effective since March 28.
Whereas, the government employees ignored the ban and followed their protest call on Monday, causing a worst traffic jam in the capital city.
A large number of government employees have gathered in Quetta to press the government for acceptance of their demands. Protest demonstrations by employees caused the worst traffic jam in various parts of the city and long queues of vehicles on all roads.
‘We will keep continuing our protest till acceptance of our demands”, Hameed Khan, the President Balochistan Professors and Lecturers Association (BPLA) said. Teachers, lecturers, employees of the secretariat have joined hands to mount pressure on the government.
Police placed on a high alert on the eve of protest by the grand alliance of employees in the city. Baton-wielding policemen deployed at all roads leading towards Governor’s house and CM Secretariat.
Chief Minister Balochistan, Jam Kamal Khan has urged the employees to demonstrate patience and wait for the government to address their issues. “Govts may take loans to pay increasing salaries of employees in future”, Jam Kamal said in a Tweet.
The employees chanting full-throated slogans against the government and demanding an increase in their salaries. They said the government committee had agreed in principle about the demands of the employees but practically reluctant to address our issues.
Various government employee organizations joined the main protest near the Red Zone area. Red Zone houses Governor’s house and Chief Minister’s Secretariat. For the whole day, the city witnessed the worst traffic jam as protesters had blocked all roads leading towards Governor’s house and the CM secretariat.