KARACHI – July 1, 2025: What began as a peaceful demonstration by the Sindh Employees Grand Alliance spiraled into chaos on Monday after failed negotiations with the government over salary and pension hikes.
Hundreds of government employees gathered outside the Karachi Press Club, demanding a 70% increase in salaries and pensions, clearance of pension arrears, and a 50% hike in the Disparity Reduction Allowance (DRA) and House Rent Allowance.
Initially, a government team — including Sindh’s energy minister and the Karachi commissioner — tried to engage with protest leaders in a bid to defuse tensions. But with talks going nowhere, frustration spilled over, and the demonstrators announced they would march toward the Chief Minister House.
In response, police placed barricades and sealed roads around the press club, trying to contain the movement. But the protestors surged past the barricades, forcing their way into the city’s Red Zone and eventually reaching Polo Ground. There, a brief standoff ensued, followed by scuffles, as police pushed them back toward Fawara Chowk near Saddar.
What followed was a full-blown clash. Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, turning the area into what looked like a conflict zone. The tear gas left several people gasping, including at least one female police officer who reportedly fainted on the spot. Traffic in the surrounding areas came to a standstill.
More than 20 protestors were arrested as the situation escalated, though authorities have not released an official statement on injuries or the number of people affected by tear gas exposure.
The protest reflects growing unrest among public sector employees amid rising inflation and stagnant wages. Despite repeated appeals, workers say their demands continue to fall on deaf ears.
“We came with hope for dialogue. Instead, we got tear gas,” one protester told reporters at the scene. “Our salaries haven’t kept up with rising prices — how are we supposed to survive?”
As of Monday night, tensions remained high, with employee unions warning of larger demonstrations if their demands are not met in the upcoming budget deliberations.
