ISLAMABAD: The retired employees of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) have termed the 7 per cent increase in pension a ‘cruel joke’.

In a joint statement issued by the patron-in-chief of the Pims Retired Employees Welfare Association Dr Mansoor Ahmed, Ziaur Rehman Lodhi, Mohammad Hanif, Tanveer Noshahi, Gul Nargis (pharmacist), Dr Ashok Kumar, Dr Arshad Janjua and others said that the increase in pension was nothing but an act of “economic injustice” against pensioners.

“Pensioners are individuals who dedicated their youth, skills, health and the best years of their lives to serving state institutions. In civilised societies, senior citizens are provided with special privileges, healthcare facilities, travel concessions, and financial security to ensure they live their later years with dignity and peace of mind. Unfortunately, pensioners in Pakistan have been subjected to policies that have steadily eroded their quality of life,” they stated.

The association said despite soaring inflation, unprecedented increases in medicine prices, rising utility bills and rising living expenses, the government had announced only a 7pc increase in pension. They said the increase was not a meaningful relief but rather an insult to the hardships pensioners face on a daily basis.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2026