Significant progress in negotiations between the federal government committee and protesting government employees took place as the government assured an increase in 20% salaries of Grade 1 to 22 employees in the next budget

Sources say a delegation of the government employees has been assured of a 20% increase in their salaries and the release of all arrested government employees.

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid confirmed news of the talks on Twitter.

Talks between the government committee and an eight-member delegation of government employees were held at the Federal Minister for Defence Pervez Khattak s residence in Islamabad.

According to a government employees spokesperson, the government has promised a 20 percent interim increase in salaries of the employees. He said that the government committee has also assured the release of all arrested employees.

Earlier on Wednesday, police launched a crackdown and also fired tear gas at the government employees at government employees protesting for pay raise at the D-Chowk in Islamabad.