Desperate to get his long overdue pension of Rs4,000, the elderly Railways pensioner wanted to be one of the first to get to the bank in the morning. He stood in queue all night outside National Bank of Pakistan’s Mughalpura Railways Workshop branch.
Despite his vigilance, he would, however, not end up seeing that Rs4,000. The septuagenarian had been waiting for his pension since October 1.
Khan had retired ten years ago as a driver for Pakistan Railways. On Wednesday, as Khan fell to the ground, his former colleagues – themselves desperate for their salaries and pensions – rushed him to the hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.
The pensioners protested against Railways authorities, chanting slogans against the federal government.
Mahmood Khan is one of thousands of employees and pensioners of Pakistan Railways that have not received dues from the highly-mismanaged bleeding public sector enterprise.
Some two weeks ago, officials in charge of pension payments in some centres had said that the payment of pensions was being delayed due to non-availability of funds. Earlier, bank officers said that cheques issued by the federal government for payment of pension bounced for want of funds in the account. They said that if new cheques are issued and cleared, the payments will be made shortly.
To tackle the issue of bounced cheques, the Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour had met President Asif Ali Zardari on October 16. But the meeting ended without a major breakthrough. The president had directed that payments to pensioners and employees be ensured within seven days.
Some money was released. However, the issue continued to fester as many stood in line waiting for the money.
There has been a spate of protests against the management of the Railways and the government by the aggrieved employees – current and former – across the country.
Some employees have not been paid for as many as five months, while a number of pensioners have also not received their meagre dues for months. When not protesting, the pensioners and employees have stood in long queues outside banks to see if they can receive these dues.
Railways’ chief accounts officer had said on Tuesday that the enterprise required Rs75 million to pay pensions to retired employees, while only Rs5.5 million were given out so far. The official, Muhammad Akram, said Railways needed Rs2 billion from the government to pay salaries and pensions for the next month.
On the other hand, Railways authorities told reporters on Wednesday that the government has released funds that will be enough to pay salaries and pensions till November 5.
Meanwhile, Additional District and Sessions Judge Munir Ahmed issued notice to Mughalpura Police SHO. He was hearing a petition seeking that murder charges be pressed against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour and Railways secretary for Khan’s death.
Advocate Muhammad Azhar Siddique has filed the, petition saying that he had earlier filed an application at the police station for registration of the case but the police refused. He said that the SHO should be directed to register an FIR against the respondents, declaring them responsible for the pensioner’s death.
President takes notice
President Asif Ali Zardari has taken serious notice of the incident and called for an immediate inquiry. He also took notice of the long queues of pensioners at the bank.
Presidential Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that the president directed that the Railways secretary should visit the Railways Headquarters in Lahore and investigate why the situation had worsened so much. He asked to submit a report to the prime minister with a copy to the Presidency within three days.
(Read: A game of brinkmanship)
(ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP)
Published in The Express Tribune, October 27th, 2011.
COMMENTS (29)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1713957765-0/BeFunky-collage-(1)1713957765-0-270x192.webp)
1713853507-0/MalalaHilary-(2)1713853507-0-270x192.webp)
if the government and railway ministry is not responsible. than who is >
@harry johal: The answer is that standing in queues for long hours gives the pensioners much needed exercise.
i cant believe that in this modern age, people still has to queue for pension, why cant they put money in account like they do in INDIA?
when i hered this sorrowful News, at once one say of Hazart Uma (RA) came in my min which i wants to share with u, as once Hazart Umar (RA) Said tahat" if a the lamb of Goat would be died at the bank of River with hunger ,i myself ll be before Allah Almighty"
This was the fear of accountabality of Animal but here is matter of Human in modern time there id no difference between animal and human before the cruel politication in pakistani society that is fact...................they take action after the Death of any Person its means our politication valued the dead persons as compared alive as our religion valued alive person.............because materialistic approach has been developed..................
These things really make me sick :(
How long have we, the general public been reading about delays in pension payment in papers? But for our government to "look" into the matter and take it seriously, People have to lose their lives ?
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un
Its shameful for the whole nation. This nation has no potential to at all. Its not only the mistake of leaders / government, its our fault as well. WE ARE ALL SLEEPING AND WILL KEEP SLEEPING
guys don't worry Mr. zardari the honorable president of Islamic republic of Pakistan has been taken a note on issue and you will see the result very soon ..................................................
The responsibility for the sad demise of Mr. Mahmood Khan rests squarely and unequivocally on the shoulders of Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, The President and PM. They will suffer the critism and 'baduas' for the death of an innocent man. In the Hereafter, only ALLAH ALLMIGHTY knows what will happen to them.
The Federal Railways Minister wants the Railways to fail so their overland transport business can succeed. That is the only reason, no matter how many innocent lives are lost. Al long as they get what they want.
Why are there so many political comprises galore? Another four ministries have been added to the Federal Government for what???
What a country. Salams.
omg. cost of a humanlife mere 4000 Ruppes. :(
It is just trailer of feature film. You can just imagine what will happen if rest of the world put economic sanction on Pakistan. This is what Hillary was talking about without setting a boot on ground. You guys need lot of Anna Hajare to fix your country. When ship sink Rat run first of all. All of your leaders are worst than rat. I feel same way as you guys feel. If some of my Indian friend feel better by misery of poor people then they should know that As history say all invader to came to Aryan land through Khyber pass. It may call Pakistan now but this subcontinent was golden sparrow & will be same again. So beware & vigilent
Is mulk ka koi haal nahi.. :(
No doubt there are lots of problems that Railways is facing but worst is the Federal Railways Minister Ghulam Bilour – shear incompetent for the job. In Pakistan, competency is neither required nor appreciated by ministers. Instead of any qualification they get the job by showing votes in their pocket to party in power. Once they get the job they don’t learn from their failures nor do they resign from the post.
Now that Mr. Bilour has brought Railways to bankruptcy, he should have realized that this job is more than he can handle. He along with others has blood of this innocent man on their hand. If it was another country, even India, the minster would have resigned long time ago.
Before pouring billions into railways, Mr. Bilour should be “fired” and a competent person be installed to bring Railway's affair in order. Otherwise this man will be doing the same thing again and once billions are gone there be same problems and nation will be wondering how to get out of that rut.
One will be called insane if he keeps doing same things over and over and expect different results. Isn’t this becoming story of Pakistan?
eee
railway employees please stop corruption ,do duty like you are a private sector employee,at ground level ;so that when you retire you will get pension in time
Ghulam Ahmad Bilour be asked to explain on TV on the death of Railway Pensioner
T&T pensioners are also waiting for the pension increase as declared by Govt of Pakistan in 2010 and 2011 budgets.
Will the president, PTET, PTCL, Ministry of IT, Standing Committee on IT wake up on the same happening outside GPO's ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
The Presidents concern for the welfare of the flood victims and the Railway Employees is only too well known:)
A TV channel spent whole its prime time to show that Railway pensioner are deprived of their pensions, but when gave live conversation every one said they are waiting in Que starting from night to avoid rushin the morning & an early reach to the counter. In fact pension was being distributed on 25 Oct , those shown were applicant of 26 Oct 2011. President is kind enough to at least look into the matter.
Nothing change in this nation....This was Tunisia which woke up on one fruit sellers death and changed the history..we will not do anything...unitll we will be one of them
@Khan: Well said bro
too little too late.
Compensation to the dead pensioner is only eyewash.The honorable supreme court is requested to take notice.Pensioners only demand their due pensions and not zakat or compensations on their death outside banks.The railway ministry is accountable for undue delay on payment of pensions.Pensioners being old and in most cases ill should not be made to beg for their pensions. Government must ensure that pensions are paid regularly and in time.
Mr. President, he died because he was not getting pension. I have just shared a huge secret with you.