PESHAWAR –Hundreds of Auqaf Department employees (imam and Khadmeen) gathered to protest a four-month backlog of unpaid salaries and pensions. The demonstration coincided with the meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which met at the same venue to sight the Ramadan moon.
Protesters Demand Financial Stability Before Holy Month
Hamayun Gandapur, President of the All Pakistan Clerks Association (APCA), District Peshawar, led the charge, slamming the government for its “continuous negligence.”
“These imam and caretakers have traveled from distant areas to serve during Ramazan,” Gandapur stated. “While they should be preparing to lead Tarawih prayers and support their families, they are instead forced to sit on the pavement demanding their basic rights.”
The protesters highlighted a recurring cycle of financial distress, noting that a similar crisis occurred during the previous Ramazan. They are now demanding a permanent grant from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government to ensure that salary disbursements remain uninterrupted in the future.
Allegations of “Ghost Employees” and Recruitment Scams
Beyond the missing paychecks, the APCA leadership leveled serious allegations of corruption within the department. Gandapur called for an immediate inquiry into the recruitment of approximately 200 to 250 “unknown” individuals.
“There is no public record of these recruitments—no newspaper advertisements and no formal testing,” Gandapur alleged. “Yet, these individuals receive regular salaries at home while permanent, hardworking staff go empty-handed.”
He also pointed toward specific administrative overreach, citing a Secretariat Assistant who allegedly wields disproportionate power over departmental agreements and transfers. The protesters demanded the immediate transfer of this official to restore transparency.
Key Demands of the Auqaf Department Protesters:
- Immediate Release: Payment of all salary and pension arrears for the last four to five months.
- Permanent Funding: Establishment of a fixed provincial grant to prevent future payment delays.
- Anti-Corruption Probe: A formal inquiry by the Chief Minister into “ghost employee” recruitments.
- Administrative Reform: Removal of influential non-departmental staff from decision-making roles.
The Government’s Response
While the Secretary of the Auqaf Department recently dismissed nearly 20 employees in a preliminary move toward “cleaning” the department, the protesters insist this is not enough. They have vowed to continue their sit-in until the provincial government and the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provide a concrete timeline for their payments.
