Retired government employees in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s (PoK›s) Muzaffarabad town took to the streets demanding a rise in pension and medical allowance as inflation has taken a heavy toll on their everyday lifestyle.
The protesters accused the government of insensitivity saying they were struggling to make ends meet. Protesters also demanded the government release all funds in a single tranche so that their troubles could be minimised. The protesters chanted, « Sadda Haq aethe rakh “ (Keep our Rights Keep here). One of the protesters stated that he wants his demand to be fulfilled soon. And he also stated that the medical costs were going high so they wanted a rise in medical allowance as well.The protester added that there are 16 diseases that are being treated for free in Pakistan, which should be done in PoK as well.Meanwhile, the government employees also organised a rally in Pakistan’s Swat to lodge their protest against the newly-introduced pension reforms.
The rally was held on the call of the All Government Employees Grand Alliance. The protesters said that the 35 per cent deduction from the pension in the name of reforms was not acceptable to them.
Rising food inflation has hit Pakistanis particularly hard this year, especially during the Ramzan. With weekly and monthly prices of essential commodities in Pakistan already at a record high, the finance ministry has warned that inflation will rise further, according to Dawn.