KARACHI:
The government’s decision to increase pensions by only 7% has left millions of pensioners struggling to cope with rising inflation. As the cost of food, medicines, utilities and other essential goods continues to increase, this adjustment offers little meaningful relief.
The impact is particularly severe for lower-ranking retired personnel, many of whom retire in their 30s or 40s and continue to support their families for many years afterward. With limited opportunities for stable employment and a steady decline in purchasing power, many are compelled to take low-paying jobs simply to meet their basic needs. What makes the situation even more concerning is the perception that while pensioners and low-income groups are expected to bear the burden of fiscal discipline, the privileges enjoyed by more influential segments of society remain largely unaffected. Economic reforms are unlikely to gain public trust unless sacrifices are shared equitably.
A nation that values the service of its citizens must ensure that those who dedicated their best years to serving it can spend their retirement in dignity and security. Pensioners deserve meaningful support, not symbolic increases.
Ghulam Mujtaba
Rawalpindi
