THE prolonged non-payment of retirement benefits, including provident fund, gratuity and pension, to the retired employees of the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) is as alarming as it is unlawful.

These individuals served the city and its people for decades, but in the twilight of their lives, they are facing bureaucratic indifference, and are forced to plead for the dues that they rightfully earned.

Many have tragically passed away unpaid, unrewarded and unrecognised. The remaining few, now old and frail, wait silently, hoping for justice that seems forever delayed.

From a legal standpoint, the withholding or unreasonable delay in disbursement of retirement dues is a gross violation of constitutional, statutory and judicially protected rights.

Withholding retirement funds from senior citizens is a form of economic and psychological exploitation. This is not simply a financial lapse; it is a violation of the social contract between a government and its employees. Retirement benefits represent the culmination of a lifetime of lawful service. To deny them is to deny not only a constitutional right, but also basic decency.

The relevant authorities should imme-diately release all pending retirement dues of KDA employees, and initiate disciplinary action against those respon- sible for the delay. A retirement redressal cell should be established urgently to process these claims on a priority basis with due transparency and compassion.

Ahsan ul Haque
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2025