The national budget is likely to be announced on 29th of May, and from all available news reports it appears that the government is preparing to give a real short shrift to the pensioners. The current pension rates are already too low, not enough for any retiree even to make ends meet, not to speak of living comfortably on. The retirees are too old to engage in any additional job-activity which makes pension allowance their only means of sustenance, but the government always seems to be ignoring their precarious position. Their medical allowance has stayed frozen since its inception, and this year they are going to be given only stingy 5 per cent increase in pension, which will be a very cruel act of the government.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is requested to come to the rescue of the poor pensioners and order at least a 20 per cent raise in their pensions and also a similar enhancement in their medical allowance.
RAFIQ AHMAD
Muzaffargarh