No grudges

This refers to the letter ‘Raise pensions’ (January 14, 2025) by Engr Asim Nawab. The writer has requested the prime minister to increase the EOBI monthly pension to Rs37000 so that pensioners can live a dignified life. As a fellow EOBI pensioner, I fully understand his predicament. Four years ago, I could buy 4.5 cartons of milk when the monthly pension was Rs8,500. Today, with the monthly pension increased to Rs10,000, I can only afford 2.5 cartons of milk. The most noteworthy aspect of the EOBI pension system is that pensioners contribute around 20 per cent of the monthly payment, with the employer contributing the remaining 80 per cent, while government pensioners contribute nothing at all – their pensions are fully funded by taxpayers. However, we should not hold a grudge. Senior government servants require expensive vehicles to carry out their duties, considering all the hard work they put in.

Syed Hussein El-Edroos

Islamabad