The KDA Employees Union (CBA) organized a peaceful protest at the Civic Center on Monday against the non-payment of salaries and pensions to employees of the Lines Area Project and KDA.
The demonstration drew a large number of employees who chanted slogans such as “Pay Salaries, Pay Pensions”, “Go Director Finance Go”, “End Corruption”, and “We Reject Oppression”.
The protest was staged outside the office of Shakeel Siddiqui, who currently holds multiple key positions simultaneously — Member Finance, Member Administration, Director Finance, and Project Director (Lines Area Project).
Union leaders raised serious concerns over this unusual concentration of power in the hands of one officer, questioning the motives and transparency behind the decision.
Addressing the protest, KDA Employees Union (CBA) President Muhammad Abdul Maroof criticized the Sindh Government for failing to implement its own notification regarding the release of salaries and pensions ahead of Eid-ul-Adha.
He demanded urgent intervention from the Chief Minister of Sindh, the Secretary Local Government, and the Minister for Local Government to resolve the matter.
General Secretary Qamar Abbas also expressed frustration, revealing that while employees remain unpaid, the Finance Directorate had released a hefty amount of Rs. 3.1 million just today for fuel expenses of officers. “This reflects the administration’s insensitivity towards employees struggling financially before Eid,” he said.
Following the protest, a delegation from the KDA Employees Union (CBA), including General Secretary Qamar Abbas, Joint Unit In-Charge Muhammad Akbar, and President of the KDA Officers Association Muhammad Syed Khurram Arif, held a meeting with KDA Director General Altaf Gohar Memon.
During the meeting, Union President Muhammad Abdul Maroof urged the DG to ensure immediate disbursement of salaries and pensions before Eid. In response, the DG assured full cooperation and stated that a grant cheque is expected within the next couple of days. He confirmed that he has already contacted the Sindh Finance Department and is making every effort to ensure that the employees are paid before Eid-ul-Adha.
