Minister for rationalised pay, pension system

Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, Industries and Production Hammad Azhar has underlined the importance of introducing a rationalised pay and pension system to remove anomalies and ensure equity.

The minister was talking to Pay and Pension Commission Chairperson Nargis Sethi, who called on him on Tuesday while the finance secretary also participated in the meeting.

The minister said that the current model for disbursement of pay and pensions was not sustainable and there was a need to rationalise salaries, pensions, allowances, perks, etc by removing anomalies to ensure equity.

He stressed the need for finding a way forward which was transparent, feasible and sustainable in the long run. He extended full support and facilitation to the commission on the occasion.

He said that the Pay and Pension Commission had a very challenging task ahead as federal and provincial governments’ employees were looking forward with great hope to recommendations of the commission.

Earlier, Sethi briefed the finance minister about the working of the commission to streamline the existing pay and pension structure as per mandate of the commission.

She told the finance minister about the consultative process being followed to ensure that all stakeholders were on board in working out a financially viable solution to the disbursement of pay and pensions.

“The current pension payment system is a massive burden on our economy,” she added.

The chairperson also apprised the finance minister of the working of sub-committees, which were assigned terms of reference to deliberate on and present firmed-up proposals for the harmonisation of pay and pension system across the country.