Time-limited support

The government’s decision to stop pensions for widows and other family members of deceased employees 10 years after the latter’s death is a blow to the most vulnerable. For many women, especially the elderly and jobless, these pensions are a lifeline. This move punishes women simply for surviving. A just society protects its most vulnerable when they need it most.

Cutting financial support from those with no other safety net is not reform but simple neglect. Dignity does not expire after a decade and compassion must not be conditional. The government must reverse this decision and uphold its duty to protect, not abandon, those who depend on it for survival. It must also be noted that pensions have been frequently delayed for a long time and the government should take practical steps to ensure this is no longer the case.

Zafar Ullah Khan

Mardan