THOUSADNDS of pensioners have not been paid their pension since February last. Recently Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif made a high-sounding statement about good governance and corruption-free projects . However, the situation seems at odds with the ground reality.

In Rawalpindi alone, more than 3,500 pensioners belonging to various institutions and departments like education, health, and solid waste management have not been paid for more than six months despite their great efforts. The total pension of these employees comes to Rs50m.

The Supreme Court in its verdict in November last had clearly directed the authorities concerned to clear the pension of retired employees by suspending development works and pays of higher officials.

However, the recent carpeting of roads costing Rs440m in the Rawalpindi city was carried out while thousands of pensioners continue to suffer on account of non-payment of their pension in sheer violation of the Supreme Court decision.

The chief minister and his chief secretary should take up this matter seriously and resolve it at the earliest before things get out of hand.

Tahir Mahmood Khan

Ex-PRO, TMC,

Rawal Town, Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2016