The Gazetted Officers Association Sindh (GOA) staged a strong protest demonstration outside the Sukkur Press Club on Sunday, with a large number of Head Masters (HMs) from across the province participating.
The protesters demanded the immediate issuance of the notification for the decisions taken by the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) regarding promotions from Grade 17 to Grade 18. The protest was led by Abdullah Korai (President, GOA Sukkur), Muhammad Ramzan Mangnejo (Divisional General Secretary, Shaheed Benazirabad), Imtiaz Laghari (HM, 2021 Batch), Syed Soofan Shah (Gazetted Officer, Grade 17), and other office-bearers.
Speakers stated that the DPC meeting for promotions from Grade 17 to Grade 18 was held at the Secretariat on November 7, 2025. However, even after four months, the official notification has not been issued, causing serious concern among officers. They said the promotion process for approximately 600 Head Masters across the province has been completed, while the training of 172 officers is still pending.
Addressing the gathering, the leaders highlighted that more than 1,470 Grade 18 posts are lying vacant across Sindh, adversely affecting the administrative system of government schools. They added that, according to the directives of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, no government post should remain vacant, yet the Education Department continues to delay the issuance of the notification.
The speakers further stated that the training of around 600 officers from the 2021 batch has been completed, while 172 officers are still awaiting training, which should be conducted immediately. They also pointed out that some officers are nearing the age of 60 but are still serving in Grade 17, calling the situation unjust and demoralizing.
The protesters urged the Provincial Education Minister, the Chief Secretary, and the Secretary School Education to immediately issue the DPC notification and announce a schedule for the remaining training to resolve the administrative crisis in educational institutions.
The GOA leadership warned that if the DPC notification is not issued within one week, they will stage a sit-in outside the Sindh Secretariat in Karachi in the next phase of their protest.
The demonstration concluded with participants chanting slogans, holding placards, and vowing to continue their struggle until their demands are met.