Govt employees go on strike to claim pay raise.

PESHAWAR/SWABI -- The employees of different public sector departments observed one-day strike and held a protest rally here on Monday to seek increase in salaries.

The protesters-led by the office-bearers of All Pakistan Clerks Association (Apca), WSSP Workers Union, Workers Welfare Board and other employees of government departments gathered outside Peshawar Press Club.

Holding banners and placards inscribed with their demands, they chanted slogans against federal government for not increasing their salaries and allowances.

They said that their salaries and allowances should be increased according to the growing prices of daily use commodities.

APCA leader Saleem Khan, WWB president Shah Zulqarinain, WSSP Workers Union president Riaz Khan, Pakistan Peoples Party city district president Zulfiqar Afghani and others addressed the rally.

Different unions hold rally and threaten to continue protest

The protesters demanded of government to accept their demands till June 18 otherwise they would observe pen down strike till June 30 besides holding demonstrations.

They said that price hike was on its peak and government did not announce increase in their salaries and pensions of the retired employees.

The speakers said that they had already submitted their charter of demand to government to accept it till June 18. They said in case the demands were not accepted, the unions of different cadres of workers would start joint protest demonstrations.

Meanwhile, QWP provincial vice president Dr Faiza Rasheed told a press conference on Monday that there no relief was provided to people in the federal budget.

She said that government destroyed all institutions and increased public woes. She added that government failed to ensure provision of wheat flour, sugar, petrol and other food items at reasonable price to people.

QWP provincial senior vice president...