THIS is with reference to the budget speech made by the finance minister who highlighted the increase of pension/medical allowance to the retired persons at 15 per cent and 20 per cent, and 20 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.

In pursuance of the budget speech, the Finance Division (Regulation Wing) had issued office memorandum on 5th July, 2010 allowing the increase in pension and medical allowance accordingly.

Three months have elapsed but PTCL pensioners have neither been allowed the increase in pension nor the medical allowance.

It may be mentioned here that Pak Telecom (Re-organisation) Act 1996 has indicated at the transformation of PTC into PTCL, the terms and conditions of those employees who were transferred from PTC to PTCL were protected under section 35 and 36 (2).

These transferred employees are commonly known as “regular employees”.

It is also mentioned in this Act that the federal government guaranteed the existing terms and conditions of service and rights, including pensioners' benefit of the transferred employees.

It is further added in Act 1996 that “the terms and conditions of service of any transferred employee shall not be altered”.

Through this letter the appeal is made to the authorities concerned to issue directives to the PTCL to raise the pension and also allow medical allowance to all PTCL pensioners.

RAMZAN ALI & OTHER PENSIONERS
Islamabad