LAHORE — Nazrana Times

 Employees of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) held a protest demonstration organized by the National Employees Union and Board employees against the Sindh government’s reported move to appoint Deputy Commissioners as administrators of evacuee trust properties.
Addressing the demonstration, Union Secretary Mudassir Zaidy expressed concern over the move and said the ETPB is a legal and administrative institution operating under the federal government. He described provincial interference in its administrative authority as unacceptable.
According to the employees, under the Nehru Pact, the management and administration of evacuee trust properties falls under the responsibility of the ETPB at the federal level.
They alleged that the Sindh government’s objective was to take control of trust properties, while maintaining that these properties were endowed for the management and administration of gurdwaras and temples.
The employees warned that provincial control over such properties could create financial difficulties in managing minority places of worship and could also affect Pakistan’s international image.
The protest sit-in was attended by union officials, including President Kashif Gujjar, Joint Secretary Ahmed Wasif, Chairman Adnan Fayyaz, Chairman Shoora Committee Shabbir Awan, Abdul Hanan Shahid, Ghulam Muhiyuddin and Aamir Hussain Hashmi. Teachers from the Pakistan Model Educational Institutional Foundation and a large number of Board employees also participated.
Senior Vice Chairman Abdul Sattar Gujjar said the Sindh government’s move could create uncertainty regarding ETPB employees’ jobs, the institution’s administrative structure and its future.
The National Employees Union and employees announced that they would approach constitutional and legal forums to protect the institution, employees’ jobs and their legal rights. They also warned that courts would be approached if necessary.
The employees demanded that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the federal government and the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony take immediate notice of the Sindh government’s move and ensure that ETPB’s federal status is maintained.
They maintained that the ETPB is an asset of the federation and said any attempt to divide or provincialise the institution would not be accepted.