It hit me like a bolt from the blue to be reminded by a TV channel that Hon’ble Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, is to retire in a year’s time on 12-12-2013. The reason being that the chief justice had graciously entertained a human rights case no 43650-P/2011 pertaining to old pensioners past 75 years of age who had been denied similar annual increases on the commuted portion of pension on restoration as allowed on the-non commuted portion of pension. Some persons have got a decision in their favour from the Apex Court but the rest of the old pensioners whose number runs into several thousands are running from pillar to post to individually follow their cases in superior courts, the last hope being vested in the Article 25(1) which enshrines equality of citizens before law. If some citizens are allowed increment on commuted portion of pension, others in the same boat may also be allowed similar treatment. One hopes that the chief justice decides this human right case during his tenure.
DR MUHAMMAD YAQOOB BHATTI
Lahore
