Islamabad police resort to shelling amid govt employees’ protest for pay rise

Capital police resorted to tear gas shelling near the Pakistan Secretariat on Wednesday as they tried to push back government employees who were protesting for a pay rise.

Several employees were arrested and those stuck in the Secretariat Block broke the door to escape.

Protests were being held at several different point of the city, including Shahrah-i-Dastoor, outside Secretariat Block and Cabinet Block. Employees also arranged demonstrations outside the National Press Club and D-Chowk.

DIG (operations) Afzal Ahmed Kausar and Senior Superintendent of Police Dr Syed Mustafa Tanvir are personally observing the security arrangements.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat was also at the scene and was overseeing the situation.

“The morale of the police is high [and] the situation is completely under control,” a statement by the police spokesperson said.

“Action will be taken against the ones who took law in their hands,” the statement read further.