Syed Ali Shah: Quetta, January 29:
Women and children gathered in central Quetta on Thursday to express solidarity with detained government employees amid an ongoing dispute over the Disparity Reduction Allowance (DRA), raising concerns over economic hardship and the arrest of public servants.
The demonstration followed police action against lecturers, schoolteachers, and other provincial employees who were taken into custody for allegedly breaching restrictions on public assemblies. Relatives of those detained said they were compelled to stage the protest after repeated appeals to authorities failed to yield any response.
Protesters, many accompanied by young children, stood outdoors in freezing weather while calling for the immediate release of detainees and the acceptance of their financial demands. Participants said the allowance issue reflects widening economic pressure on government workers in Balochistan, who argue they are being treated unequally compared to employees in other regions.
A woman at the protest said her family had been pushed to the streets after her husband’s arrest. “We are not here for politics. We are here because our homes cannot survive on promises,” she said.
The provincial administration maintains that its fiscal space is limited, citing rising non-development expenditures and existing salary obligations. Officials argue that introducing additional allowances would place further strain on the provincial budget. Authorities also justified the detentions, stating that gatherings were held in violation of Section 144.
Protesters dismissed this explanation, describing the demonstration as peaceful and warning that public agitation would continue unless detainees are freed and dialogue is initiated.
