THE national budget is likely to be announced on May 29, and from all available news reports it appears that the government is preparing to give short shrift to pensioners. The current pension rates are already too low, not enough to make ends meet, let alone to live comfortably on.

As the retirees are too old to engage in any additional job activity, the pension allowance is their only means of sustenance. As ever, the government seems to be ignoring their precarious position. Their medical allowance has stayed frozen since its inception, and this year they are going to be given only a stingy 5pc raise in pension. This will be a cruel act of the government.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should rescue the poor pensioners and order at least a 20pc raise in their pensions, as well as a similar raise in their medical allowance.

Rafiq Ahmad
Muzaffargarh

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2015

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