THE government’s decision to grant only a meagre increase in pensions is deeply disappointing in the face of soaring inflation. For thousands of individuals and families that depend solely on pensions, survival has become increasingly difficult. Prices of essential commodities, medicines, electricity and transportation continue to rise, while employment and small-business opportunities remain scarce.

The government often cites constraints imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the reason behind the act of refusing meaningful relief to pensioners. However, the same restraint is nowhere to be seen when salaries, allowances and privileges of parliamentarians, judges and senior bureaucrats are enhanced. These highly paid officials already receive attractive salaries, and, yet, they continue to enjoy free electricity, luxury vehicles, official residences and numerous other perks funded by the taxpayers. One fails to understand why.

Equally unjust is the percentage-based method of increasing pensions. A pensioner receiving Rs35,000 per month gets only Rs2,450 under the recent seven per cent increase, whereas a pensioner drawing Rs300,000 receives Rs21,000. Inflation affects both equally, but the benefits overwhelmingly favour those already better off.

Particularly neglected are lower-ranked retired armed forces personnel who spent years serving in remote areas, often away from their families and under challenging conditions. After dedicating the best years of their lives to national service, many now struggle to make ends meet.

A fair pension policy should protect the most vulnerable rather than widening the existing inequalities. Those who served the nation deserve dignity and financial security in retirement, not further hardship.

Ghulam Mujtaba
Gujarkhan

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2026