Senate panel directs PTET to distribute pension

Calls for details of contract with Ufone to be made public

PHOTO: FILE

The Senate Sub-committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication on Monday directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Employees Trust (PTET) to immediately disburse the pension to those who haven't received the increased amount of pension as announced by the government from time to time.

The sub-committee, chaired by Senator Rubina Khalid, met here on the issue of pending pension payment of the retired employees of the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) payable by the Pakistan PTET.

Senator Rukhsana Zuberi told the committee that the PTET, in violation of laws, was not granting the adequate amount of pension to its retired employees.

She further stated that the PTET had sublet its property to a cellular service provider and the money generated from it belonged to pensioners of PTCL. "When asked about the agreement between Ufone (cellular company) and PTET, the officials did not provide any documents regarding this issue", she added.


Committee member committee Senator Rehman Malik said that the details of the agreement must be made public. He also requested the committee to hear the grievances of affected pensioners who were present in the meeting.

The pensioners said that not only had they not received the increased amount of pension since 2008 but their current pension had also been decreasing every year. "We are receiving 5.5 per cent of the previous amount of pension, which is not enough to meet our expenses," said one pensioner.

The committee directed PTET officials to provide the details of the losses suffered in investment in mutual funds together with their reasons.

The committee also recommended that the Supreme Court judgment regarding the pensioners should be implemented in letter and spirit.

Meanwhile, the officials of the IT ministry informed the committee that the PTET chairman was selected for the period of one year and the board of the trust comprised of six members, with three each from the ministry and PTCL.
Load Next Story