Ministry to handle pension cases online

RAWALPINDI:

The Punjab School Education Department is set to implement an online system for handling all pension-related cases starting from March 1.

The pilot project will be initiated in ten districts of the province including Rawalpindi during the first phase, with a complete transition to online processing in all 42 districts by July 1, 2024, as announced in a circular from the ministry of education. The move aims to eliminate manual acceptance of pension cases in the designated districts, a step welcomed by teacher organisations.

Teachers bodies believe that online filing of pension cases will effectively combat corruption and bribery.

Teachers and non-teaching staff are expected to benefit from the digital process, eliminating the need for physical visits to offices and reducing associated distress. The online pension system will commence initially in South Punjab, with a dedicated app already released for the project following a successful trial. The entire process, including the scrutiny of pension documents and obtaining pension approval, will be conducted through the online platform.

Leaders of teacher organisations, Muhammad Shafiq Bhalwalia and Basharat Iqbal Raja, commend the education department for the decision to transition to an online system, considering it a positive step for the education sector.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 26^th, 2024.