REFERENCE Capt. Afaq Rizvi’s letter (July 20). First, the government is giving a step-motherly treatment to PIA as there is still no mention about an increase in pension periodically in the PIA Act while the armed forces and civilian cadres get a handsome increase in every budget.

The amount of pension received by old PIA retirees is nothing to write home about.

Similarly, the restoration of the commuted amount after 10 years is the right of every pensioner because the commuted amount is equivalent to half pension for a period of 10 years. Government departments follow this rule for their pensioners. Why the discrimination?

Finally, if and when PIA grants a ‘kitty’ to its various employees’ associations, they distribute the money among themselves, leaving nothing for the pensioners. They forget that one day they will also join the ranks of the retirees.

Asif Jah

Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2016