Sindh Employees Reject Budget, Protest on June 30

KARACHI: In a powerful show of unity, representative organizations of Sindh’s education department and other government employees have strongly rejected the Sindh budget 2025-26, calling it anti-teacher, anti-employee, and a betrayal of PPP’s pro-worker policies. Addressing a joint press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday, leaders from various employee groups announced the formation of the Sindh Employees Alliance (SEA) and issued a clear warning to the provincial government.

Employees Slam Budget Cuts, Demand Pay Hike

The Sindh Employees Alliance (SEA) declared the meager salary and pension increases in the newly announced budget as completely unacceptable. “This budget does not reflect the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) worker-friendly ideology,” said Haji Muhammad Ashraf Khaskheli, President of the Government Secondary Teachers Association (GSTA) and newly elected Chairman of SEA.

The alliance highlighted that PPP’s own central leadership had rejected the federal government’s insufficient raise in salaries and pensions. Chaudhry Manzoor, PPP President and Central Secretary of Information, along with the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, had both criticized the raise as inadequate and unjust, urging a more reasonable increase.

‘Two Salary Systems’ in Sindh – A Growing Divide

The alliance leaders pointed out a growing inequality among government employees in Sindh. While elite institutions like the Sindh Secretariat, Governor House, CM House, Sindh Assembly, and judiciary staff enjoy special allowances, utility packages, and health cards, the rest of the provincial workforce is being treated with neglect.

“There are two parallel systems running in Sindh. One is enjoying privilege and benefits, the other is struggling to survive,” said Ghulam Rasool Mehr, PTA Central President.

In contrast, provinces like Punjab and KP have already provided Disparity Reduction Allowance (DRA) to their employees. Sindh’s government workers, however, remain deprived of this key financial relief, fueling frustration and anger among thousands of public servants.

SEA’s United Front – Key Demands and Future Action

SEA is a united platform of multiple associations, including:

• GSTA
• All Sindh Primary Teachers Association
• Sindh Professors and Subject Specialists Association (SPSA)
• Guest Officers Association Sindh (GOAS)
• Sindh Professors and Lecturers Association (SPLA)
• All Pakistan Clerks Association (APCA)

The alliance has appointed:

• Iqbal Ahmed Panwar (GSTA) as Secretary SEA
• Key members including Syed Israr Ahmed Shah, Abdul Rashid Chandio, Munawar Abbas, and Muhammad Ashraf Bozai

SEA’s charter of demands includes:

• 70% salary increase for all Sindh government employees
• 50% DRA (Disparity Reduction Allowance)
• Equal group insurance, pension, and other employment benefits
• A uniform salary structure across all departments

Protest Announced – June 30 Deadline

If the demands are not met, SEA will organize a mass protest at the Karachi Press Club on June 30, followed by a sit-in at the Chief Minister’s House. “We will not call off the protest until our rightful demands are approved,” warned SEA leadership.

Public Support Grows for Sindh Government Employees

The announcement has already gone viral across social media platforms, with hashtags like #SindhBudgetReject, #EqualPayForAll, and #TeachersProtest trending in the region. As economic pressure mounts and inflation rises, public sentiment appears to be aligning with the employees’ demand for justice and fairness.