PPP backs demand of BECS teachers for regularisation.

Byline: Ikram Junaidi

ISLAMABAD -- Leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Saturday criticised the government for beating and arresting the teachers of Basic Education Community Schools (BECS) programme and failing to fulfill the promise made with them about regularisation of their services.

They were speaking at a press conference along with the volunteer BECS teachers who had been demanding release of their salaries pending for almost a year.

A few days ago as many as 223 teachers were arrested from Jinnah Avenue while protesting against non-payment of their salaries.

Slams govt for arresting teachers

Party's Punjab information secretary MPA Syed Hasan Murtaza said male and female teachers were beaten by the police. She said the male teachers were sent to jail while the females were kept in the women police station.

'It is unfortunate that teachers, doctors, engineers and even politicians are on the roads because of the steps and attitude of the government.

Federal Minister Shehryar Khan Afridi had promised that services of the teachers would be regularised, but the promise could not be fulfilled. Even their salaries are not being released for the last one year,' he said.

Former Senator Sehar Kamran, Senator Lal Chand, Iftikhar Shahzada, Nazir Dhoki, Ayesha Khosa and others were also present on the occasion.

Mr Murtaza said that over 200 teachers were thrashed and arrested by the police just for seeking their rights. 'We will continue supporting the teachers and other oppressed segments of the society,' he said.

Sehar Kamran said that teachers were on roads because of the failed policies of the government.

'Employees of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council are also on the roads because the government has terminated their services,' she said.

Nazir...