Civil servants in KP to observe token strike today

PESHAWAR: The Provincial Civil Service (PCS) Association has decided to launch a token strike by wearing black armband today (Tuesday) to press the government for the implementation of reforms in the civil services.

It was decided at the meeting of the association held on Monday at the Civil Secretariat that was chaired by Ghafoor Beg. The participants of the meeting were informed that the government had failed to implement the chief minister’s directives and report of the ministers committee about civil service reforms despite repeated assurances.

The meeting was informed that the component of Grade-17 to 18 promotion have been successively dropped four times in the Provincial Selection Board (PSB). The provincial assembly committee on civil service reforms has yet to annul the apportionment formulae 1993.

The participants were informed that extension of schedule, executive allowance for civil servants, withdrawal of biased transfers, constitution of placement committee to ensure merit in postings and other reforms had also not been taken up by the provincial legislature.

It was said as “the government has failed to deliver on its promises and implement legal orders of the chief minister, the association has expressed concern over the non-implementation of the chief minister’s directives and violation of commitment that has led to poor governance in the province.”

The association, comprising 700 Provincial Management Service (PMS) and PCS officers, decided to wear black armbands across the province and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas from today. A general body meeting of the PMS and PCS officers would also be called soon to decide the future course of action, a press release of the PCS association said.