The State Office has dispelled rumours swirling around in the media about possible plans to evict retired employees or the widows of deceased employees residing in the federal residential quarters in the metropolitan city.
"We are not taking possession of houses or flats from law-abiding retired residents or widows of deceased employees," officials from the Regional Directorate of State Office Management Karachi, a subsidiary of the Federal Ministry of Housing, told The Express Tribune on Tuesday.
However, they regretted that many retired government employees are not complying with the legal requirement to pay "ceiling rent." They added that these retirees should deposit their rent monthly in the State Bank as mandated by law.
The State Office officials highlighted that the rent deduction process is already in place for retirees. Rent is deducted from their pensions under the directive of the Public Accounts Committee of the previous government. The records are then sent to the Accountant General Pakistan Revenue (AGPR) in a phased manner, ensuring compliance with the law.
While the State Office has recently carried out actions resulting in the evacuation of over 600 government houses and flats in Karachi, no immediate notices are being issued to vacate more residences. The officials clarified that any decision regarding the continued residence of retirees in their homes will be made by the federal government, and they will comply with directives accordingly.
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The officials further stated that false information has been circulating regarding the cessation of pension payments for retired civil servants owning government properties.
The State Office has not issued a blanket order to halt pension payments for all retirees with government houses or flats; such decisions will be made based on the federal government policy.
"Retirees with completed service periods, NOCs, and legal matters resolved are currently receiving pensions without interruption," they clarified. "The retirees who completed their service in Karachi within the last few months will not be granted an NOC if they own government property. The issuance of NOCs is subject to vacating the government-owned house or flat."
The State Office, bound by the orders of the Federal Secretary, Ministry of Housing, and DG State, urged the retirees to cooperate in obtaining NOCs before sending cases to AGPR. The department is also computerising all its areas under the supervision of senior officers.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2023.
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