LAHORE, June 21: The Pakistan Federation of Civil and Military Pensioners has rejected a 10 per cent raise in pensions announced in the federal budget, and demanded not only a considerable increase but also an end to disparity in the pension of old and new pensioners. Representatives of pensioners of three armed forces and office-bearers of pensioners associations of civil departments at a meeting held here on Tuesday with Lt-Gen Ghulam Safdar Butt (retired) in the chair described the increase as absolutely insufficient in view of high inflation. The old pensioners being paid at nominal rates were the worst affected.

The participants of the meeting were of the view that the government had no realization of the fact that majority of the pensioners were old, ailing and disabled people receiving payment not even enough to meet expenses of their medical treatment.

A number of participants suggested that like other disgruntled elements of society, the pensioners should also resort to protest march with posters and banners asking the authorities to change their attitude towards them.

How would the nation like watching scores of old, ailing and disabled grandfathers on roads with walking sticks, crutches and even wheelchairs shouting slogans for a reasonable increase in their pensions? they said.