The Federal Ombudsman has strongly recommended extending pension benefits to unmarried and divorced daughters and sisters of government employees, until they get married or find a source of income.
The ombudsman recommended that the federal government amend the existing laws in this regard.
The existing policy of the federal government at present provides pension benefits to unmarried daughters, divorced daughters, and unmarried sisters of government employees for only 10 years.
The recommendations to amend the law was made by the Federal Ombudsman in response to the complaint filed by a lady stating that after death of her mother, who retired from a federal agency, her pension was stopped after ten years as per the policy.
Quoting Punjab Ombudsman decision regarding grant of family pension for life to divorced daughter or unmarried sister, she requested for issuance of such direction to the agency.
Federal Ombudsman in its recommendations stated that the general trend has been for the provincial governments to replicate the policies and benefits including the pension and allied benefits granted by federal government to its employees.
According to the Punjab government policy, a widowed/divorced daughter and unmarried sister of government servant would get pension until their re-marriage or acquiring regular source of income.
The Ombudsman said this decision is based on compassion and clearly grounded in the social, religious and cultural values of the country and its people.
