I am shocked to learn that the Sindh government would deduct five days’ salary of all its employees in grade 17 and above. Being a government servant’s wife, who manages domestic affairs, I know how I manage to pay the utility bills, education fees of children, groceries, medicine, etc.
There has been unprecedented hyperinflation, and prices of every household item have increased so much that it has become difficult to manage the household budget in a limited salary. My husband is an honest government officer, and we do not rely on any other illegal source of income and means. We are not alone because the families of all such government employees are facing the same situation.
The government’s decision to deduct salary is not justified and will create a lot of problems for the officers who are performing their duties honestly. It is true that there are black sheep, and officers involved in corruption do make money through illegal means. The government decision to deduct salary will hardly make any impact upon them. But what about the rest of us?
If the Sindh government thinks that all government employees have illegal sources of income and a deduction of five days’ net salary will not be an issue, it is sadly mistaken. This is injustice, and nothing but punishment for being honest.
MRS SADIA QAZI
KARACHI
