Sit-in: Retired government employees demand 100% increase in pension

Say they are unable to procure household items with the limited allowance.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The All Pensioners Association of retired government employees in DI Khan staged a sit-in at Topan Wala Chowk on Wednesday demanding a 100% increase in their pension.

Rejecting the budget for fiscal year 2013-14, retired employees of irrigation, police, education and other government departments from Paharpur, Kulachi and Darapan participated in the protest. They carried placards and banners in favour of their demands and chanted slogans against the government. Traffic also remained suspended on Circular Road as a result of the demonstration.



Addressing participants, All Pensioners Association DI Khan President Dr Ghulam Yaseen said retired government employees were passing through a difficult phase but no one was paying any attention to their problems. “A retired government employee is unable to procure basic household needs. Despite the court’s decision, the government is not increasing their pension. These delay tactics of the government are not acceptable.”

Another participant, Muhammad Irshad Khan criticised provincial authorities and said no relief has been given to the pensioners which, he claimed, was a failure of the government.

The protesters vowed to continue their sit-in till a notification dated July 1, 2013 is issued for a 100% increase in pension. Otherwise, their demonstration would be extended to other parts of the country as well, they warned.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2013.