Pensions unpaid

Letter October 22, 2016
I request the Punjab government officials and the chief minister to take up this matter seriously

RAWALPINDI: I would like to the draw attention of the Punjab government and Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to the plight of thousands of pensioners who have not been paid since February 2016. Recently, the chief minister made an exalting statement regarding corruption-free projects and good governance. However, the situation seems at odds with the ground reality.

In Rawalpindi only, more than 3,500 pensioners from education, health and solid waste management have not been paid for more than six months despite running from pillar to post. The Supreme Court, in its November 2015, verdict clearly directed the authorities, including the government of Punjab, to clear the pensions of retired employees by suspending development works and salaries of higher officials. It is inhumane to continue development projects while thousands are suffering.

I request the Punjab government officials and the chief minister to take up this matter seriously; otherwise we will have to stage protests.

Tahir Mahmood Khan

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22nd, 2016.

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