MIRPURKHAS, Sept 16: Employees of the highway department, Mirpurkhas division, held a demonstration in front of the press club here on Tuesday, demanding that the government should fill vacant posts in the department.

Talking to journalists, Mirpurkhas Highway Employees Union chairman Qalandar Bux Mugheri, secretary Manzoor Ahmad and Building Employees Union chairman Sajan Khaskheli said highway authorities had not appointed employees against vacant posts.

They said only 10 per cent workers of the approved strength were working in the department as many employees had retired or expired.

benevolent fund: A large number of retired government employees and heirs of deceased employees held a demonstration and observed a token hunger strike outside the press club here on Tuesday to protest against the non-payment of the benevolent fund amount.

They raised slogans against the staff of the DCO office and demanded that the government should direct the authorities to ensure the payment of the amount to them.

Talking to journalists, the protestors regretted that only influential people were paid the benevolent fund amount.

They said employees in the other provinces were being regularly paid the amount.

They demanded that the Sindh governor, chief minister and officers of the finance department should order an inquiry into the matter and ensure the payment of the fund.

Those who observed the hunger strike included Abdul Sattar, Mohammad Ibrahim, Noor Mohammad, Mohammad Khan Mahar, Mohammad Yousuf, Dost Mohammad Chandio, Fateh Mohammad Areesar, Abdul Rasheed Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Ayaz Ali, Mohammad Moosa, Soomar Khan, Ali Bux, Siani, Zulekha, Hakim Zadi and Samreen.