Through your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the kind attention of the authorities concerned, particularly the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, to the long-standing issue of pending pension dues of the retired employees of the Associated Press of Pakistan Corporation (APPC).
Despite repeated appeals and assurances, over 300 APP pensioners continue to await the disbursement of their four annual pension increases — 17.5 per cent for 2022–23, 15 per cent for 2023–24, 7 per cent for 2024–25, and 7pc for FY 2025-26 — along with pension arrears dating as far back as 2015. These are not favors but rightful entitlements earned through years of devoted public service.
It is particularly disheartening that the APP Board of Directors, chaired by the Federal Secretary for Information and attended by senior Finance Division officials, has already approved two of these increases, yet no implementation has followed due to reported shortage of funds. Each visit or communication with the management brings the same response — that the matter has been referred to the Finance Division.
In stark contrast, during the same period, parliamentarians, ministers, judges, and senior bureaucrats have received regular and substantial revisions in their pay and privileges. Many among them enjoy multiple sources of income, while the retired APP employees — most of whom have no other means of livelihood — remain deprived even of modest adjustments intended to help them cope with record inflation and rising living costs.
This persistent delay in releasing the legitimate dues has caused immense hardship to a community of senior citizens who served the national news agency with loyalty and professionalism for decades. It is both a financial and moral failure that their plight continues to be ignored.
We earnestly appeal to the Chairman of the Committee on Pending Liabilities and Employee Benefits, recently constituted by the Prime Minister, to take immediate notice of this issue and ensure early release of the long-delayed pension increases and arrears. The intervention of this high-level committee is our last ray of hope for long-overdue justice.
BASHIR AHMAD LASHARI
LAHORE
