This is with reference to the news story that says that the federal and provincial governments have implemented Supreme Court rulings on pension payment, with the exception of Punjab. As per the above mentioned Supreme Court ruling, payments were to be made in lump sum to the pensioners. However, the Chief Minister of the Punjab wants to pay the pensioners in seven years.
The story, if true, has shocked me because I had high opinion about the CM Punjab. He is a person who excelled all his counterparts in other provinces, in all fields. I wonder how he can stumble over a matter where senior citizens are involved whose only livelihood depends upon pension, which they have earned after devoting their prime life to jobs. Although, this noncompliance with Supreme Court ruling amounts to the contempt of court, how can a retired person afford to approach and follow the case in the Supreme Court again?
Probably, these pensioners are of no importance to the Khadam-e-Ala, since they are valueless to his desire to make monumental projects. It is lamentable that organisations dealing with humanitarian issues, media or any member of civil society fail to focus on the suffering of pensioners who, given their age, require money to fulfill their needs. Will someone listen?
RAJA SHAFAATULLAH
Islamabad
