SWABI, June 4: The All Pakistan Clerks Association (Apca) observed a pen-down strike on Wednesday and demanded that the government accept its charter of demands before the presentation of the federal budget.

All the offices at the district headquarters and Chota Lahor tehsil were deserted.

Speaking to the protesters, Apca leaders Zakirullah, Anwar Sher and Abdul Samad Khan said that despite repeated protests, the demands of the clerks had not been accepted. They demanded a 100 per cent increase in salaries.

They said the lower staff was being ignored while the perks and privileges of the ruling class had increased manifold.—Correspondent