LAKKI MARWAT: The local municipal workers have ended their three weeks long strike and resumed duty after the government assured them of salary payment before Eidul Fitr.

Salary has not been paid to protesters for three months prompting them to suspend provision of municipal services in Lakki city.

The strike has led to water shortage, piling up of garbage and overflowing of sewers stressing out the people in the hot and humid weather and during the fasting month of Ramazan.

During a visit to the city for distribution of relief goods to the internally displaced persons lately, provincial local government minister Inayatullah Khan had told municipal workers that they would be paid salary before Eidul Fitr.

However, the workers continued with the strike and protests.Taking note of the growing public complaints about lack of cleanliness and water shortage, deputy commissioner Zafar Ali ordered the arrest of two officebearers of the municipal workers union, including Haji Anwar Kamal and Khursheed Alam Khan, under Section 3 of the Maintenance Public Order.However, the order was withdrawn when local notables assured the administration that municipal workers wound end strike and restore municipal services without delay.

When contacted, Haji Anwar Kamal said the union had called off the strike after the minister promised payment of salary to municipal workers before Eidul Fitr. `We`ve directed all municipal workers to resume duty forthwith. Provision of water supply and sanitation services to the people has already been resumed, he said. Correspondent