Before his time: Retired peon dies seeking justice

Ghulam Shabbir was forced to resign in March 2016, five years before his actual retirement date

DERA GHAZI KHAN: They say justice delayed is justice denied. This adage proved right for a retired lower-cadre government employee in Dera Ghazi Khan who died on Saturday almost one year after his forced retirement.

Ghulam Shabbir Manjhoti, who worked at the Government Women’s College, Dera Ghazi Khan as a peon, was forced to resign in March 2016, five years before his actual retirement was due in 2021.

Shabbir, who lived in Kotani, was born in 1961 and worked with the Pakistan Army prior to his appointment at the college till 1984. But as was prevalent in those times, his identity card was made with a fake date of birth.

Since his ID card stated he was born in 1952, he attained the age of retirement in 2012. He continued working on his post till last year, when the college principal stopped his salary, saying he should now retire.

In March 2016, Shabbir was forcibly retired and had been facing severe financial crisis since then.

“He was given a forced retirement due to the confusion over his date of birth,” said Colleges Deputy Director Prof Mazhar Hussain Gishkori.

Shabbir, however, continued running from pillar to post to get his job restored in vain.

He finally decided to move the court against his retirement and raise his voice against the injustice.

On Saturday, he approached a lawyer to file a petition in the labour court but was dejected as he could not afford his fees or the money to file the petition.

Disappointed, Shabbir was heading back home when he suffered a heart attack and died on the spot. “My husband was extremely worried because of financial problems and his death is a question mark over the performance of the government.

Why did they take so long to provide justice to him?” Shabbir’s wife questioned, demanding the Punjab chief minister provide justice to her husband at least after his death.

Colleges Director Dr Altaf Hussain told The Express Tribune that two days ago he had decided to restore his employment and the Deputy Director had been asked to deal with the case.

Prof Mazhar said that the principal of the college had the authority to restore his employment and she had been directed in this regard. He added the issue would be resolved and the dues of the deceased would be paid at the earliest to his heirs.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2017.