Tensions flared at Peshawar’s Assembly Chowk on Monday when police resorted to baton charge and tear gas shelling to disperse protesting government employees gathered under the banner of the All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA).
The demonstrators had blocked the main road to press for their demands, triggering a massive traffic jam across the city.
Participants from various government departments held placards and chanted slogans, demanding salary and benefit increases.
Their key demands included an increment in the disparity reduction allowance in line with federal government employees, a minimum 50% raise in salaries to match inflation, reversal of the proposed pension reforms, and conversion of Contributory Pension Fund (CPF) employees to the General Provident Fund (GPF) system.
The roadblock at Assembly Chowk brought traffic to a standstill, leading to long queues of vehicles across different areas of Peshawar. Commuters, including women and children, suffered in the sweltering heat as the protest continued.
Also Read: Southern Waziristan’s Fruitful Fields Face Crisis Amid Water Shortage and Climate Change
Police initially attempted to negotiate with the protesters to reopen the road, but when talks failed, they used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd. After the protesters scattered, traffic was restored on Khyber Road.
Police officials stated that dispersing the protesters was unavoidable due to public inconvenience but added that they exercised restraint to prevent the situation from escalating further.
Meanwhile, AGEGA leaders have vowed to continue their protest if their demands remain unmet, warning that they will expand the movement until their "legitimate" demands are fulfilled.
.jpeg)
