Islamabad, Pakistan (CWBN)_ Around forty teachers have been arrested during protests held in the area surrounding PM Imran Khan’s residence, Bani Gala House in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, yesterday (19th Dec), for “interfering” with the discharge of governmental duties and for violating Covid-19 restrictions.
The protest involved both secondary school educators (SSE) and assistant education officers (AEO) representing the SSE/AEO Regularization Movement Punjab. The protest concerned several demands, including the permanent service contracts for around 11,000 teachers
Tensions arose around the residence when a large contingent of local police, alongside elite personnel, impeded the advance of the protestors toward the residence preventing their complaint from being reported.
It was also reported that tear gas canisters were also fired into the crowd, causing some injury.
Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat, had also arrived to the scene but was unsuccessful in convincing the protestors to disperse. He later noted that “I have informed the teachers that this issue is related to Punjab government and not federal.”
He added, “Though protest is right of every citizen yet teasing citizens by blocking roads is not a good sign.”
