The term of pensioners is moving unconstitutionally and in violation of the fundamental rights of retired civil servants
The Lahore High Court has sought a detailed response from the Punjab government and the finance minister on a petition challenging the provincial government’s recent decision to reduce the pension benefits of the government employees.
The chief justice was hearing the petition filed by Muhammad Aslam and others. Pursuant to the Court’s earlier directive, the Financial Secretary appeared before the Court. During the hearing, the petitioners’ counsel, Advocate Maqbool Sheikh, argued that the Punjab government had amended the service rules to curtail the pension rights of retired employees.
“Under the new changes, the government has reduced the pension to the equivalent of three years’ salary,” he said, terming the move a violation of the established pension formula and long-standing administrative practice.
He further claimed that the government’s decision was unconstitutional and against the fundamental rights of retired civil servants. “The reduction in the pension not only undermines financial security after retirement but also goes against the principles of fairness and legitimate expectation,” the lawyer maintained.
The petition urged the court to declare the Punjab government’s decision to reduce the pensions as illegal and void. After hearing the arguments, the court issued notices to the Finance Secretary and other respondents to file their written replies and adjourned further proceedings till December 2.
Last month, the Supreme Court had emphasized that the right to pension is a constitutional right, not a matter of generosity, and is inherently linked to the dignity and livelihood of retired employees.
“Pension is not a matter of generosity, charity or charity – it is a right protected under Articles 9 and 14 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 and inextricably linked to the right to life, dignity and livelihood, for without sustenance in old age these rights ring hollow,” stated a writer of Just Sygdoors, a 10-year-old writer.
The decision noted that it should be taken more seriously for the public servants, for whom it is a crystallized return on years of faithful service, a form of deferred salary earned through an employee’s sweat, work and loyalty. “It embodies the principle that those who serve must not be discarded in their twilight years,” it added.
