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Sunday, April 28, 2013
Teachers refuse to perform poll duties in Balochistan* Association says lives of teachers will not be put in danger
QUETTA/LAHORE/
ISLAMABAD: Teachers in Balochistan on Saturday announced their categorical refusal to perform duties in the upcoming election in 11 districts of Balochistan on account of threats to them via messages and pamphlets.Government Teachers’ Association (GTA) Secretary General Qasim Khan told the media after a cabinet meeting of the association that members of 30 districts of the GTA reviewed the situation of all areas and decided not to put the lives of teachers in danger.
“Therefore, we have decided to keep the teachers away from election duties, as teachers from Kalat, Makran divisions and two districts of Quetta division – Chaghi and Nushki – had received some serious threats,” he said.
The official said that teachers had performed their national duties every year, whether it was census or any campaign of government, adding that such and other tasks had previously been accomplished by the effort of teachers.
“The situation in the aforementioned regions of the province is so critical that lives of teachers cannot be put in danger. However, if any teacher wants to perform this duty, the GTA will have no objection over it,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has warned of stern action against government servants refusing to perform election duties on one pretext or another. According to media reports, the ECP has authorised returning officers across the country to issue arrest warrants of government servants not willing to perform election duties. Besides this, the chief secretaries have also been asked to take action against such officers. staff report/agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk