The government employees on Friday launched a protest in Islamabad, demanding that salary increases and service structure reforms be incorporated into the forthcoming federal budget, as the government prepares to unveil a Rs17.5 trillion budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
The government employees gathered on Constitution Avenue and attempted to march towards Parliament House. Police blocked the procession and prevented demonstrators from advancing beyond PTV Chowk.
A confrontation took place at PTV Chowk, where police personnel and protesters engaged in pushing and shoving. Police subsequently resorted to baton charging in an effort to disperse the crowd.
Federal employees presented a 13-point charter of demands, including a 100 per cent increase in salaries for employees from Grade 1 to Grade 22.
The protesters also called for the withdrawal of pension reforms and demanded that all ad hoc allowances be merged into basic pay.
A large police contingent stopped the demonstrators near PTV Chowk after they gathered outside the Ministry of Finance's Q Block at the Pakistan Secretariat.
Police erected barriers to prevent protesters from proceeding towards Parliament House and later pushed demonstrators back towards the Secretariat area.
In response, protesters blocked roads leading from Secretariat Chowk, causing disruption in the vicinity. Further scuffles were reported between police and government employees at Secretariat Chowk.
