According to reports, the Quetta police fired tear gas and baton-charged protesting government employees ahead of Balochistan budget for the financial year 2022-23.
As per the spokesperson for the Grand Employee Alliance, two employees were injured during the protest.
Multiple organisations of government employees had announced to carry out a protest demonstrations outside the Chief Minister’s Secretariat prior to the yearly financial budget. “Government used force against peaceful employees”, Abdul Rasheed, one of the protesting government teachers told media. He said police baton-charged the employees without any justification.
The protesting employees were reportedly trying to enter the Red Zone to press the government for acceptance of their demands when police pushed them back.
Hundreds of baton-wielding policemen were deployed at the main chowk leading towards the CM Secretariat and Governor House. The protesters were chanting slogans against the government for its failure to address the problems. “We want an immediate relief in our salaries like other parts of the country”, protesters said. They said the government has made many promises but failed to address employee issues.
Balochistan government is all set to announce the financial budget for the year 2022-23. Prior to the budget, teachers, clerks and other employee associations have staged protest demonstrations to mount pressure on the government to acceptance of their demands. Community teachers have also established a protest camp outside Quetta Press Club for acceptance of their demands.