PoJK: Retired employees hold protest against IMF-mandated ban on family pensions
Sep 23, 2024
Muzaffarabad [PoJK], September 23 : Retired government workers in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir staged a protest outside the Secretariat in Muzaffarabad organised by the Pensioners Association.
The demonstrators expressed their outrage over the IMF-mandated ban on family pensions. During the protest, the demonstrators passionately articulated their outrage and urgency regarding the government's decision to terminate pensions for widowed women, highlighting the dire situation many of these vulnerable individuals face amidst escalating economic challenges and rising inflation.
The protesters underscored that these cuts leave them exposed to financial instability, further exacerbating their hardships in an already precarious environment.
Raja Mumtaz, a representative of the Pensioners Association, articulated the protesters' key demands.
Elaborating on the demands raised by retired employees, he said, "Our two demands are of utmost importance. First, we insist that the pensions for widowed daughters, which have been halted, be reinstated. We estimate there are around 200 to 250 cases of vulnerable women affected by this decision, some of whom are here with us today."
"Secondly, we are requesting the release of the pending 10 percent amount for the period from April 22 to June 30. This is crucial for our financial stability. Additionally, we seek an increase in the pensions of university employees to reflect their years of dedicated service. We are here today to advocate for these essential rights," he added.
Protesters also asserted that pensioners in PoJK are being denied the recent pension increase announced by Pakistan's PM. They also warned of possible repercussions if their demands are not met.
"That time is not far off; we can see a lot. Pakistan is going through a very difficult situation. Save Pakistan from breaking apart, please. Grant us our rights. Let it not be that a mistake happens tomorrow that we will regret later," said another protester.
The pensioners' protest reflected their shared struggles in the face of economic challenges, particularly the impact of rising inflation and the loss of crucial financial support.
