As you are aware, the federal government while announcing the budget for FY 2010-11, inter alia, had granted much needed financial relief to its existing employees and pensioners – who had given their life and blood for the service of Pakistan – keeping in view ever rising inflationary trends in our economy which made their life unbearable and miserable. The said financial measures were appreciated and applauded by all concerned which mitigated their sufferings to some extent.
Nevertheless the said financial relief had element of discrimination against retired employees/pensioners because they were not treated at par with their serving colleagues.
For example, the serving employees were granted 50 percent rise in their existing basic pay, while the retired ones were given only 15 percent increase in their pensions. To be precise, a government servant for instance drawing basic pay of Rs 20,000 got a hike of Rs 10,000 at 50 percent, while a retired/pensioner receiving monthly pension of Rs 20,000 had an increase of only Rs 3,000 at 15 percent.
These figures bespeak of disparity and injustice meted out to the pensioners. As would be seen, there is wide difference and disparity of 35 percent between pay and pension increases by the government, despite the fact that both segments of the society are living in the same prevailing harsh economic conditions.
In fact, retired/pensioners deserve more sympathy and consideration because majority of them are wholly dependent on their meagre pensions to meet both ends for the survival of their family.
In view of the circumstances, it is requested to the honourable Prime Minister and Finance Minister to kindly redress the genuine financial grievances of pensioners by allowing them same increase as to the serving employees.
FAIYAZ AHMED
Hyderabad