Pakistan: AGEGA Punjab protest against pension cuts outside Civil Secretariat
Protests in Lahore: AGEGA Demands Reversal of Pension Cuts
In Lahore, Pakistan, hundreds of activists from the All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA) Punjab gathered outside the Civil Secretariat to protest against recent cuts to pension, gratuity, and leave encashment. The interim Punjab government had issued notifications reducing these benefits, prompting AGEGA to demand that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz revoke the measures.
During the protests, many AGEGA leaders were detained and taken to Jati Umrah for negotiations. Maryam Nawaz assured them that their concerns would be addressed once the government assumed office. Although the initial protest was called off, AGEGA leaders have continued their demonstrations, urging the government to honor its commitment.
Prominent AGEGA figures, including Punjab Teachers Union president Rana Anwarul Haq and others, addressed the gathering, highlighting the disparity between raised salaries for parliamentarians and reduced benefits for employees. They criticized the removal of Rule 17-A, which had provided financial support to families of deceased employees.
The protesters emphasized that government workers, who dedicated their lives to public service, are now left vulnerable in their old age. They vowed to continue their struggle for the reversal of the cuts, planning sit-ins in Lahore and Islamabad, and urged the government to restore their benefits and improve employee welfare.
Doubts Revealed
Lahore
Lahore is a big city in Pakistan, which is a country next to India. It's known for its rich history and culture.
AGEGA
AGEGA stands for All Government Employees Grand Alliance. It's a group of people who work for the government and come together to protect their rights and benefits.
Pension Cuts
Pension cuts mean that the money people receive after they retire from their jobs is being reduced. This can make it hard for retired people to pay for their needs.
Gratuity
Gratuity is a sum of money given to employees when they leave a job after working for a certain number of years. It's like a thank you for their service.
Leave Encashment
Leave encashment is when employees get money for the leave days they didn't use. It's like getting paid for vacation days you didn't take.
Interim Punjab Government
An interim government is a temporary government set up to manage affairs until a new government is elected. Punjab is a region in Pakistan, similar to a state in India.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz
Maryam Nawaz is a political leader in Pakistan. A Chief Minister is like the head of a state government, similar to a Chief Minister in Indian states.
Parliamentarians
Parliamentarians are people who are elected to make laws and decisions for a country. They are like the members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in India.
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