PENDING CASES: The surge in ‘service matter’ cases — disputes involving government employees’ appointments, promotions, disciplinary actions and pensions — poses a great challenge. Although the Federal Service Tribunal (FST) has improved its disposal rates, a massive backlog remains. More than 51 per cent of FST petitions are filed directly against government policies, while 38pc are filed against the arbitrary or discriminatory application of those policies. The government must reshape service-matter laws, and timely address the administrative grievances of all its employees.

Tasleem Naz Abro
Islamabad

INCREASE IN PENSIONS: The Punjab government has announced a 3.5 per cent increase in pensions in its latest budget compared to the 7pc increase in the federal as well as Sindh budget. This is surprising because inflation hits people across the country regardless of one’s province of residence. If anything, having announced a surplus budget, the Punjab government could have been more sympathetic in the matter of giving relief to its pensioners compared to the fiscal space which the other governments have at their disposal. The government needs to have a second look at the matter.

M. Sharafat Ali Zia
Islamabad

CONFLICTING DATA: A statement before a Senate sub-committee recently claimed that tobacco tax theft amounted to Rs40 billion. Contrarily, senior government officials have repeatedly stated that illicit tobacco trade costs the national economy more than Rs100 billion annually. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has claimed that it recovered Rs40 billion from the tobacco sector through anti-illicit trade operations. If the total losses were Rs40 billion, the problem should have been resolved. However, the situation on the ground suggests otherwise. Conflicting figures not only create confusion, but also seriously undermine the credibility of government’s enforcement efforts. The FBR should clarify what the exact position actually is.

Usama Ghulam Rasool
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2026