Mian Nawaz Sharif held a grand assembly of newly elected parliamentarians at Alhamra Hall, Lahore. He spoke like a mature politician at the occasion unveiling his strategy and plans to tackle gargantuan and urgent issues such as economy, security, and load shedding being faced by the nation. The government employees receive pension after retirement and at times they opt for commutation, which means that the person would receive a lump sum amount in exchange for monthly payments over 15 to 20 years. Interestingly, a few years back a group of pensioners who had survived the commutation period filed a case in court via service tribunal that the increase in pensions announced by the government be applied retroactively to their commuted pensions. The government did not pursue the case properly and the applicants won. This resulted in payments of huge amounts to pensioners for their commuted pension contrary to increase only in future pension payment, which essentially was government’s intention when they increased pensions. This is tantamount to giving out increase in salary to employees from the date of joining and not the date increase is announced. I believe the government can save huge sums of money if they revisit the case and file an appeal in the court through a professional actuarial lawyer.
RAJA SHAFAATULLAH
Islamabad