Educators reject pension reforms

RAWALPINDI:

The central leaders of the Primary, Elementary, and Secondary Teachers Association and the Punjab SES Teachers Association have rejected the new pension reforms, castigating the Punjab government for pushing public servants and pensioners into the darkness of poverty and despair at the start of the New Year.

Muhammad Shafiq Bhaluwalia and Abdul Rauf Kayani told The Express Tribune that the new pension reforms have resulted in the economic exploitation of government employees. For the first time in Pakistan's history, the pensions of senior citizens have been reduced and family pensions abolished, depriving pensioners of their legitimate and legal rights.

According to Bhaluwalia, the formula for pension calculation, based on the basic salary of 24 months prior to the date of retirement, is effectively a tactic to reduce pensions. Under this formula, an employee who was previously entitled to a monthly pension of Rs40,000 will now receive less than Rs30,000. Similarly, there has been a significant reduction in commutation amounts.

These anti-employee measures will make it impossible for government employees to buy plots or houses in the future or afford their children's weddings, the union leader further says and adds the government has plunged employees and pensioners into economic hardship as the New Year begins.

Kayani highlights a recent World Bank (WB) report which states that in 2024 alone, 13 million people in Pakistan fell into poverty due to the government's flawed policies and lack of focus on the economy. On the other hand, he deplores, the ruling elite continues to increase their perks and extravagant spending without restraint.