It is legitimate to ask how many pensioners above 85 are still alive today
ISLAMABAD: The increase of 10 per cent in pensions that was announced in the budget is necessary but not enough to meet the inflation that is exponentially on the rise. The government has also decided to grant a 25 per cent increase in pensions of those who are above the age of 85. This generosity makes little sense because few survive up to 85 years of age or beyond. Playing pranks with old age is morally absurd and indefensible. It is legitimate to ask how many pensioners above 85 are still alive today. Parliamentarians, understandably aware of the skyrocketing prices of basic necessities, are giving an enormous boost to their own salaries and allowances although most of them don’t need state support to stand on their feet because they own lucrative businesses. This situation gives birth to glaring anomalies.
To address the problem, the civil society and the parliamentary opposition in particular must raise their voices to correct the proposed advanced age pension formula. The special increase should start from the age of 75 instead of 85. The National Assembly and the Senate must take cognisance of the growing disparity between take-home incomes of the privileged and the underprivileged. People, including pensioners, will accept hardships ungrudgingly, provided the leaders share the burden proportionately.
B A Malik
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2016.
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