Nadra workers’ union leader attempts self-immolation

PESHAWAR: Central president of employees association of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), Mohammad Saleem Sherpao, on Saturday attempted self-immolation in protest against the government’s not heeding to them since long and accepting their demands, including provision of service structure.

During a press conference at Peshawar Press Club, Mr Sherpao doused his body with petrol he had brought with him in a bottle and was about to set himself on fire when people present around him thwarted the attempt.

A group of Nadra employees who were present at the press conference jumped and stopped him before setting himself alight. The rescuers of 1122 soon reached the spot and took him to the Lady Reading Hospital.

Earlier, addressing the press conference Mr Sherpao demanded of the government to take practical steps for their service structure and upgradation of their scales forthwith, otherwise they would start a countrywide agitation.

He said that they had been waiting since long for upgradation of their scales and provision of medical and other facilities. He said that Nadra was established years ago, but the government had failed to frame a proper service structure for them.

Mr Sherapo said he and his other colleagues had raised voice for the right of employees, but the Nadra management started their victimisation. He said that he and several other employees of the association had been dismissed apparently to punish them for their struggle for rights. He alleged the top management of Nadra was misusing funds and powers.

In several meetings with the association, he said, that the government had promised to frame service structure for them and upgrade their scale within six months, but in vain. He said that instead of fulfilling their demands the authorities sacked employees.

Mr Sherpao said that the association had always raised voice against the alleged corruption in Nadra and it even unearthed the scam of issuing Pakistani national identity cards to Afghan refugees. He said that the authority had taken action against only those union workers who had disclosed corruption of its high officials.

He claimed that the employees had played an important role in completion of various projects in the country and abroad. He asked the media to play its impartial role in the case of employees.

The union leader demanded of the government to conduct Nadra’s audit through Auditor General of Pakistan Revenue and hold accountability of heads of Nadra’s human resource, administration and accounts sections. He demanded of the prime minister to immediately announce a comprehensive service structure for the Nadra employees.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play