Balochistan Grand Alliance Issues 2-Day Ultimatum to Provincial Government Over 12 Demands

Quetta:The Balochistan Grand Alliance has given the provincial government a 2-day ultimatum to accept their 12-point demands, threatening to initiate a protest movement from May 22 to May 31 if their demands are not met. The protest will involve employees wearing black armbands, resignations in various departments, sit-ins, rallies, and hunger strikes in front of press clubs in Quetta and all other districts. On the day of the budget session, a sit-in will be staged at the provincial assembly.

This announcement was made during a joint press conference held at the Quetta Press Club on Tuesday, where central organizer Professor Abdul Qudoos Kakar, central secretary-general Haji Ali Asghar Bangulzai, Faryad Khan Achakzai, and others spoke to the media. Also present were Haji Shifa Mengal, Ali Bakhsh Jamali, Tariq Kadizai, Yunus Kakar, Shah Ali Bugti, and others.

**Professor Abdul Qudoos Kakar** stated that Balochistan’s employees contribute the most in taxes, yet they face the most significant challenges. He criticized the provincial government for not addressing employees’ issues, adding that under the banner of pension reforms, anti-employee policies are being pursued. He demanded an end to the privatization of government departments and the practice of contract-based hiring.

He emphasized that the government should raise salaries in the next fiscal year’s budget in proportion to inflation. “If the government fails to address our issues and meet our 12 demands, we will be forced to protest. The first phase will begin on May 22 and 23, where government employees will wear black armbands and run campaigns on print and social media,” Kakar announced.

He continued, “On May 25 and 26, we will engage in a complete pen-down strike across all government offices, including education and health. Additionally, from May 28 to 29, no government or private mail will be sent from government offices. If our demands are not accepted by then, we will escalate the protest. On May 30, rallies, protests, and public gatherings will be held in Quetta and throughout the province.”

Furthermore, Kakar revealed that from May 31 to June 3, hunger strike camps would be set up outside the press clubs in Quetta and other districts. He confirmed that all government employees from across Balochistan would arrive in Quetta on the eve of the budget session, where they would surround the provincial assembly and hold a sit-in.

“If our demands are not met, the core committee will consult and make tough decisions, further expanding the protests with more intense actions,” he warned. He concluded by saying that Balochistan’s 350,000 employees would continue their struggle for their rights, as guaranteed by the constitution and law.