KARACHI:01 February: The rally of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Test Pass Teachers Association for permanent status to teachers on Tuesday was met by a heavy contingent of police near the Governor House that baton charged the participants, shelled teargas and targeted them with water cannons.

The teachers assembled at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) and marched towards the Sindh Chief Minister’s House but were intercepted at the Fawwara Chowrangi. The police resorted to baton charge and tear gas shelling, which caused minor injuries to many teachers while 40 of them were also taken into custody.

Not only the teachers were affected but also a large number of passerby and people working at nearby offices faced severe difficulties due to shelling. Several shells also landed in the KPC’s backyard.

Three-and-a-half years ago, the Sindh government had recruited 7,200 teachers out of total 200,000 candidates that appeared in a test conducted by the IBA.

An affected teacher, with continuous tears in his eyes brought by teargas told the Daily Times that Sindh education minister was not keeping his words, compelling teachers to take to the streets for having their demands met. He said that he assured them of permanent status on the completion of three years’ probation period but they were instead provided with an extension of six months.

“The government again assured of permanent status after six more months but are now offering another extension of three months after the completion of same. We have refused to believe the lip service of the authorities and demand our due right”, he added.

Later, Deputy Commissioner South Jamal Qazi arrived at the site and told media men that the Sindh governor has issued an ordinance to regularise 5,800 teachers who had completed their three-year tenure while remaining would be regularised as soon as they complete their probation span. He further said that protesters, who were taken in police custody, would also be released, adding that a summary of the ordinance would be sent to the law department for legislation.

IBA Teachers Action Committee Secretary General Toufeeq expressed his disbelief over the Deputy Commissioner’s commitment, saying that such ordinance has a lifetime of only three months.
Later, when contacted, officials of the Artillery Medan police station said that they arrested the protesters for violating Section 144, imposed in the red zone, however, no case had been registered against them.The news.