QUETTA: The Balochistan Grand Alliance (BGA) has announced a full-scale protest movement across the province after accusing the government of delaying action on employees’ long-standing demands and failing to honour its own signed commitments.
Addressing a press conference in Quetta, the central organiser of the alliance, Professor Abdul Quddus, said the government had repeatedly backed away from agreed recommendations, creating deep frustration among employees. He warned that the situation has reached a point where government workers “will no longer tolerate humiliation or further delays.”
He was accompanied by BGA General Secretary Haji Ali Asghar Bangulzai, Ali Bakhsh Jamali, Shifa Mengal, Shah Ali Bugti and other office-bearers.
Employees Say Promises Remain Unfulfilled
Professor Abdul Quddus said that before the budget for the current financial year, employee representatives met ministers and relevant officials and presented a detailed charter of demands. However, he said the government neither addressed those demands nor acknowledged employees’ peaceful protests.
He alleged that during the budget session, instead of engaging with demonstrators, authorities attempted to suppress the movement by conducting raids and arresting employees. “Such actions are reminiscent of martial law eras,” he said, adding that the government had still promised resolution after negotiations.
A joint committee of ministers and secretaries had finalised recommendations and signed the minutes, which were also presented to the Chief Minister. “We were assured the issue would be resolved,” he said. “But despite cabinet approval, the recommendations were repeatedly dropped from meetings—sometimes due to the absence of ministers and sometimes citing other excuses.”
He added that even after assurances from the head of the government committee, Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, progress remained stalled for six months.
BGA Unveils Province-wide Protest Schedule
Following a high-level meeting of its executive council, action committee and organising body, the BGA announced an extensive protest plan beginning 12 December across all districts. The alliance says the movement will continue until all agreed recommendations are formally approved and implemented.
Protest Schedule Announced by BGA:
- 12 December: District action committee meetings in all districts
- 13 December: Press conferences by district action committees
- 15–16 December: Black flags on government offices; employees will wear black armbands
- 17 December: Rallies and protests in Kalat and Sibi divisions
- 18 December: Rallies in Zhob and Rakhshan divisions
- 19 December: Demonstrations in Makran and Naseerabad divisions
- 20 December: Rallies in Loralai and Quetta divisions, including Pishin, Killa Abdullah and Chaman
- 23 December: Provincial-level rally and demonstration in Quetta
- 24 & 26 December: Protest camps outside press clubs across Balochistan
- 29 December: Province-wide pen-down strike
- 30–31 December: Complete provincial lockdown
- 1 January: Core committee meeting to finalise the next phase of the movement
The BGA leadership said the responsibility for any disruption in administrative activities will lie with the government if it continues to ignore employees’ legitimate demands.
