Second day: Pensioners observe hunger strike

Claim that they have not been paid pensions for over five months.

RAWALPINDI: Hundred of pensioners from the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation and the District Council entered the second day of a hunger strike against delays in the release of their pensions.

Protesters, which included women, have set up a camp near Liaqat Bagh on Murre Road.

They said they have not been paid their pensions for the last five months, which has left them in virtual poverty. They said that no one was ready to listen to their grievances while they have gone from pillar-to-post to get their pending dues.

They said that the officials of the two departments were only paying lip services
to solve their problems, while the high-ups have kept completely mum over the issue.

A large number of locals and area politicians from opposition parties also visited the camp to express solidarity with the pensioners, some of whom had turned up on wheelchairs or with walking aids.

The protesting pensioners shouted slogans against the local authorities and the provincial government for their apathy and lack of responsiveness.

The protest camp, which has been organised by Municipal Workers’ League Rawal Town, was also abuzz with visits from labour union leaders and active employees of the two departments.

The protesting pensioners announced that they will continue their hunger strike until they are paid all outstanding dues.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2016.