Lagatar24 Desk
Islamabad, Feb 23: Without any formal orders by the Pakistan government or the provincial governments, the Balochistan government officials have their salaries cut by 50 per cent this month as they are required to contribute to the Turkey relief aid.
This comes at a time when the government is witnessing a severe economic crisis amid allegations of corruption and coercion rampant in the country.
As per information, the Grade 19 to 21 officers in Balochistan have protested against the unilateral salary cut, saying that they are already struggling to support their families as the prices of essential commodities have risen by 33 per cent. These salaries were their only source of income. They could not be deprived of their legitimate income without any consultation.
Moreover, the officers question whether other officers of other ranks and provinces were also asked to contribute, or if this was an order from the Balochistan Government. Then, they would appeal to the federal government to pay one or two days’ salaries and avoid the 50 per cent salary cut.
Despite severe economic stress, the Shehbaz Sharif Government is trying hard to return the gesture Turkey made last year when Pakistan was hit by nationwide floods. Nine aircraft sorties have been carried out so far with 16 containers carrying 162 tonnes of relief materials.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced that he would visit Ankara and express solidarity with Turkey in times of crisis. However, the Turkish government has asked Shahbaz to postpone his visit as Ankara was very busy dealing with the calamity and the relief operations.
