SHANGLA: Pensioners in Shangla district complained on Saturday they had not received pension of the last four months.

Haji Bakht Afsar, president All Pakistan Pensioners Union, Shangla chapter, told a press conference in Besham the non-payment of pension to the former employees had created difficulties for them.

“The hearths in the homes of the former employees have turned cold and it is becoming difficult for them to make both ends meet,” he said.

He said the district finance department had intentionally denied payment of pension to the former employees. He said the pensioners had served the country and the nation but the government failed to ensure timely payment of pension to them.

Bakht Afsar demanded of Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and finance minister Muzafar Said to take notice of the issue and direct the concerned department to immediately pay pension to the retired employees.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2016