Chairperson of the Committee Senator Rubina Khalid while presiding over a meeting of the committee observed that the pensioners have entered into a crucial phase of their lives and are facing hardships in making both ends meet.
Pension Issues of PTCL Pensioners to be Resolved Soon
She called for early resolution of the problems of the pensioners. Convener of the sub-Committee Senator Engr. Rukhsana Zuberi briefed the Committee about the overall situation of the pensioners, affairs of the PTET and presented a detailed report on the deliberation carried out by the sub-Committee. She said that financial losses, incompetence and other lapses resulted in shrinking the financial strength and resultantly pensioners faced a difficult situation. She apprised the Committee about the recommendations to improve the situation and provide relief to the poor pensioners. Chairperson of the Committee Senator Rubina Khalid while sympathizing with the pensioners of PTCL observed that their rights would be protected. She said that Committee would play its assertive role in this regard as retired employees are passing through testing times of their lives. She, however, deplored the attitude of the authorities for turning deaf ear to the grievances of the poor employees. She said that the committee would present a detailed report in the House and would continue to pursue the matter to provide legal and constitutional rights to the pensioners. Senator Rehman Malik said that pensioners have not received pension so far despite the fact that Supreme Court has already given a decision in this regard. He said that pensioners are going through tough times but unfortunately the concerned authorities are adamant and not moving towards the resolution of the issue. He called for taking stern action against those involved. Senator Rehman Malik also raised voice for the innocent Kashmiris. He said that the international community must take cognizance of the situation prevailing in Indian Occupied Kashmir. “ Kashmir has been turned into an open-air prison where Indian Occupied Forces have subjected the innocent Kashmiris to brutal torture”, Rehman Malik said. He observed that prolonged curfew has added to the miseries of the people. People, he said, are facing food and medicine shortages. He said that the Indian government also tried to block his social media handles, however, it failed. The Committee called upon the government to approach Red Cross and other relief organizations to assist the people stranded in the occupied valley and struggling for food, medicines and other necessities of life. Mian Muhammad Atiq Sheikh said that PTET assets were being used by a cellular company which needs to be investigated. The committee after detailed discussion also sought views from the representatives of the retired employees. They appealed to the committee and other concerned authorities to provide relief to the retired pensioners of the PTCL. The committee was shocked to know about the miseries of the retired employees and decided to take all possible measures to provide relief to the people suffering due to the injustice. The meeting was attended by Senators Shahzad Wasim, Rehman Malik, Mian Muhammad Atiq Sheikh, Engr. Rukhsana Zuberi and Sana Jamali besides senior officers of the ministry of IT. Recommended Reading: PTCL Celebrates Independence Day Across Pakistan
