Members of the All Pakistan Clerks Association (APCA) Multan Chapter had warned on Friday that they would commit self-immolation outside Chief Minister's Secretariat if the Punjab government did not accept their demands. Following the government's refusal to enhance their salaries/pay-scales and move to sack over 110 employees of the Local Government Board who had been working there for the past 16 years.
The APCA had staged rallies and attempted to approach Governor's House during Wednesday's protest but were forcefully stopped by police. The use of baton charge on the occasion left two protesters injured. On Thursday, members of the APCA blocked Abdali Road, adjacent to irrigation department and shouted anti-government slogans after the government refused to accept their demands.
Office-bearers of the APCA, including APCA Divisional President Khalid Mehmood Sanghera addressed the protesters. They were holding placards inscribed with the slogans: "Khadim-e-Ala uncle, when will you sell your children?" "Uncle Zardari, would you also sell Bilawal?" "We need a loaf of bread, education, uniform and healthcare only.
Khalid Mehmood Sanghera said that the public had voted for the Sharif brothers with great hopes. He said the brothers might lose public support if they failed to understand the plight of the poor clerks.
APCA leader said the government was paying no attention to the demands of the clerks, adding the clerks had therefore decided to commit suicide on May 13. "Around five of our members would use kerosene to set themselves on fire," he said. The clerks' demands are very reasonable, especially after the salaries of the police officials were doubled, he added. The clerks were resentful of the government's decision to sack all daily wagers at once, he added.
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