An old age Pakistan Railways (PR) pensioner lost his life and the other one
lost his consciousness while waiting outside a bank branch overnight
for the payment of pension; meanwhile President Asif Ali Zardari took
serious notice of railways pensioners death and directed the railway
secretary to submit report about the death within three days.
The pensioners including females were waiting outside the bank for the payment from last 24 hours.
According to a private TV channel long queues of old age pensioners
outside the bank were present and only two to three officials of bank
were working due to which the pensioners were facing severe
difficulties; meanwhile the condition of pensioners standing outside the
bank for payment of pension is said to be critical and no steps were
taken by government or bank administration to facilitate the pensioners.
Mehmood Khan, 65, was resident of Faisal Park Harbanspura standing
outside the bank for payment of bank from 8’0’ clock of Tuesday and
stayed night outside the bank; meanwhile queue formed on Wednesday
morning for the receiving of pension outside the bank, due to which he
was fainted and rushed to hospital; however, he passed away.
The son of Mehmood Khan while talking to a private TV channel said
that his father was heart patient and was looking for pension, adding
that they told the bank administration that his father is heart patient
but the bank administration did not paid attention.
Another former employee of Pak Railways Jaffer Hussain could not put up the starvation and lost consciousness.
These pensioners say they have nothing at home to eat and facing
starvations, adding that they control themselves but what they would say
to their children, adding that they will not return to their home until
receiving pension. They said that “we are standing form last night with
the hope that the rulers would show kindness for them.
Meanwhile President Asif Ali Zardari took serious notice of the death
of a pensioner of Pakistan Railways who lost his life in over-night
wait for his monthly dues. The President called for an immediate inquiry
into the incident. He also took notice of the long queues of pensioners
at the National Bank of Pakistan’s branch at Railway Headquarters
Lahore.
Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said the President directed that the
Secretary Railways should visit the Railways headquarters Lahore and
investigate the circumstances for the mess. He asked to submit a report
to the Prime Minister with a copy to Presidency within three days.
The President also directed the secretaries of Finance, Railways, GM
Railways and President of National Bank to ensure that funds were
provided and promptly disbursed to the pensioners.
He said the pension disbursement must not be refused on flimsy
grounds and that railways authorities must be available at the banks to
help the pensioners.
The President also expressed profound grief over the death of the pensioner and sympathized with members of the bereaved family.
Meanwhile Federal Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour
announced relief worth Rs. 500,000 for the bereaved family of Mehmood
Khan. SANA
