Passco employees protest against privatisation of entity

BUREWALA: Employees of the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) on Friday launched a strong protest against the government’s proposed plan to privatise the institution.

The protest was led by Passco Vehari Zone In-Charge Akhtar Sohaib and other employees, who wore black armbands and took part in a sit-in at the Passco office. The workers raised their voices in opposition to what they termed the ill-conceived government policies that they believed were aimed at undermining the institution’s success.

The protesting employees spoke against the government’s plan to privatise an institution that, despite operating as a self-sustained and profitable entity, was now being targeted for privatisation under the guise of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recommendations. According to the workers, the Passco was Pakistan’s 10th most profitable institution and did not rely on any government subsidies or impose any financial burden on the state.

Expressing their frustration, the workers emphasised that the government’s attempt to privatise such a successful institution, while ignoring its critical role in the country’s food security, was a blatant example of poor governance. The protesters argued that privatising Passco would pave the way for private companies and mafias to control the national food reserves, which could create significant food security challenges in the future. They also warned that the government’s actions would result in the loss of jobs and benefits for the employees and further exacerbate the issues faced by the farmers and the general public.

The protesting employees stated, “The government has resorted to economic assassination of the workers. How can the government justify privatising an institution that has been generating profits since its establishment?” They further expressed concerns that the government, under pressure from private interests, was planning to relinquish control over the strategic reserves of the country, which would leave the citizens, farmers, and employees vulnerable to the whims of private corporations.