RECORDER REPORT

PESHAWAR: Scores of retired government employees here on Tuesday staged a protest demonstration outside press club, demanding of the federal and provincial governments to increase pension and other allowances as per inflation and ‘price-hike’ in the country.

The protest was headed by All Pakistan Pensioners Association Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter president, Fida Mohammad Durrani, Ikram Khan, Nowsherwan, Abdul Majeed, Hamayun Khalil, and Ishrat Abbas along with dozens of retired employees of different provincial government departments. The protesting retired employees were holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans in favour of their demands.

Fida Durrani while talking to media said that the provincial governments are least bothered to consider their ‘charter of demands’. He added that the both, federal and provincial, governments had taken steps for the up-gradation, and increase in the allowances of the in-service employees of various government departments and agencies. However, he regretted that the retired employees had been completely ignored in the absence of uniform policy for them, which has caused unrest among the pensioners’ community.

“We want the governments, provincial and federal, to increase pensions as per rate of inflation and ‘price-hike’ in the country,” Durrani said. He demanded 30 per cent special quota in jobs for sons of the retired employees in government departments, and increase in medical and other allowances.

The pensioners warned that if the federal and provincial governments did not accept their demands by the end of this month, they would lay siege to the provincial assembly building; besides, will march to Islamabad and stage a ‘sit-in’ and setup hunger strike camp outside parliament house.

They have also decided to boycott the upcoming general elections in the country until their demands are met.