KARACHI, Jan 7: Retired and widows of deceased railway workers remained deprived of pension and Eid allowance as the agreement between Pakistan Railway and the National Bank of Pakistan could not be implemented.

More than 12,000 retired workers of railways and widows of deceased workers are looking at the railway authorities to redress their grievances. According to an agreement reached between railway authorities and the National Bank, arrangements for disbursement of pension have been made through various branches of the bank across the country. For the purpose, 20 branches have been designated in Karachi.

However, the amount of pension could not be distributed due to some reasons.

Pakistan Railway Workers Federation strongly criticised the delay in disbursement of pension amount among retired workers and their families and urged the prime minister and railway minister to look into the matter and resolve it at the earliest.

Besides, the Federation President Manzoor Razi criticised the authorities for the delay in the disbursement of Rs2.5 million among the families of railway workers who died in service.

The package was approved by the government and the railway authorities under Assistance Package of Government Employees.

He said other benefits including free education to children of deceased workers, health, house and other facilities approved should also be given without any delay.