Manan Mandokhail:
QUETTA: Government teachers hunger to death strike outside the Balochistan Assembly entered 8th day outside Balochistan Assembly on Wednesday. Eleven teachers have been observing hunger till death strike outside the provincial assembly to mount pressure on the government for acceptance for their 22 points demands.
“Upgradation of teachers is our main demand”, Muhammad Siddique Mashwani, one of the central leaders of the Government Teachers Association Balochistan (GTAB) said. He said despite repeated appeals and requests, the provincial government was reluctant to issue the upgradation order of teachers.
30,000 teachers to benefit from upgradation
In Balochistan, 30,000 junior teachers would benefit from the upgradation, Mr. Mashwani informed. Scores of teachers and office-bearers of other associations were also present outside the Balochistan Assembly.
Provincial ministers and members of the provincial assembly also visited the teachers on hunger strike assured resolution of their problems. “We support all demands of the teachers”, Arif Jan Muhammad Hassani, a lawmaker from the ruling Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) said.
Lawmakers ask government to take notice of teachers strike outside the assembly
He however urged the government and especially the education department to take notice of the strike observed by the teachers community outside the assembly. “Someone should listen and resolve the grievances of protesting teachers”, Muhammad Hassani said.
The condition of two teachers on hunger strike also deteriorated. The teachers were provided medical treatment inside the protest camp. An ambulance was also parked outside the camp by the health department to provide all basic facilities in the case of any emergency situation.
GTAB has complained that all junior teachers were elevated in the rest of the country and the teachers of Balochistan were denied their rights. “Teachers would also stage massive protest outside the assembly on the eve of the provincial budget”, Habib ur Rehman Marndanzai, the GTAB Chief warned.
