Living on a prayer

Senior pensioners across the country have already made many requests to the authorities concerned to increase their pension at a significantly high rate. This is because many such pensioners retired decades ago at low salary packages. Naturally, their pension amount was even lower than the monthly salary they were entitled to. This is why these pensioners have argued that a small increment in pension amount is insufficient. On the other hand, salaried individuals who are working at different government organisations are younger and are in much better health than senior pensioners. People who are currently working also have other facilities, including official residence or rent allowance, and transport and medical allowances.

On the contrary, pensioners get no allowances other than a fixed medical allowance, which does not increase with an increase in pension. In addition, these people do not have any other source of income since they cannot take any jobs because of age restrictions and frail health. They also need more medical attention and care from the state as they have devoted their entire life to the service of the country. On that basis, senior pensioners should be given at least an increase of 20 percent in both pension and medical allowance. Pensioners who are at least 72 or older should be given a higher increase since they received a much lower salary before their retirement than those who have retired during the last 10 years. It is hoped that policymakers will consider these factors before announcing the new pension increase.

Zaheer Ahmed

Islamabad

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In every country, the government gives benefits to its senior citizens. Unfortunately in Pakistan, it is difficult for the aged to lead a dignified life. It is a known fact that a majority of EOBI pensioners are between 65 and 75 years old. A few years ago, their pension was increased Rs5,250 per month. Since then, there has been no increase in their monthly pension. The government institute, the EOBI is meant to facilitate retired private sector employees who rendered between 30 and 40 years of their lives to serve the nation.

Five thousand two hundred and fifty rupees are insufficient for them to purchase medicines. How is a person expected to meet household expenses in this way? The minimum wage fixed by the government is Rs15,000 per month. EOBI pensioners should at least be given this amount as pension. The authorities concerned are requested to settle the long-standing crisis of the EOBI pension on a priority basis.

Azfar Shamim

Karachi