Sukkur (Report: Danish Rajput): Employees in Sukkur staged a strong protest against the privatization of WAPDA, rising inflation, and long-standing worker grievances, organized by the All Pakistan WAPDA Hydroelectric Workers Union (CBA), Sukkur Region. The protest saw active participation from numerous leaders, including Khalil-ur-Rehman Dhomki, Shujaat Hussain Ghumro, Aqeel Ahmed Jooni, Abdul Malik Soomro, Sarwar Ali, Syed Zahid Shah, Aqeel Ahmed Dayo, Nazar Muhammad Memon, Ashfaq Ahmed Mahar, Nadeem Ali Korai, Hidayatullah Korai, Abid Ali Khoso, Abdul Majeed Solangi, Sarwar Ali Sheikh, Abbas Ali Shah, Tahir Pirzada, Majid Ali Shah, and Noor Din Soomro.
The leaders demanded the immediate reversal of WAPDA’s privatization decision, stating that it is a national institution whose privatization would adversely affect thousands of employees. In addition, they called for:
- Permanent employment for contract and daily-wage workers,
- Salary and allowance increases in line with inflation,
- Timely promotions and updates to pay scales,
- Full settlement of dues for retired employees,
- Provision of safety equipment for field staff, and
- Better medical facilities for employees.
The union warned that if these demands are not addressed promptly, the protest movement will be expanded further, signaling a growing labor unrest in Sukkur and across the region.
The demonstration reflects broader discontent among WAPDA employees nationwide, who fear that privatization and lack of support amid rising living costs could undermine their job security and welfare.
