Daily Times

KARACHI: The contract employees of Sindh Zakat and Ushr Department on Tuesday protested for their regularisation outside the Karachi Press Club. The audit officers, audit assistants and clerks took part in the protest.

They have been protesting in various districts and cities of Sindh. Talking to media, Shahid Bhatti said that they are 830 employees who have been working for last 15 years on daily wages and contract.

He said, “The blue-eyed officials have been regularised but the government is ignoring us because we have no political backing. We have crossed the age and many of us are not eligible for other jobs.”

“The employees on contracts were disappointed with the attitude of the government towards them,” he said. Another protestor, Dur Muhammad Tanwari, said that they have approached several lawmakers but to no avail. “Before announcing 90,000 other government jobs, they must have accommodated us,” he added.

They urged Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to regularise them. They warned that if their demands were not accepted they would march towards the CM’s House. Zakat and Ushr Department Secretary Riaz Soomro said that they were appointed on contract.

He said that they were always paid on time and it can be stopped anytime. “I cannot do anything but the government has to decide whether it would make them regular or not,” he said.