ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said on Sunday morning that pensions have been a problem for ages and should have been solved years ago.
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, he said it’s a common principle that one is entitled to one pension, and gets the highest.
“But here, people have been the army chief, chief executive, president are receiving pension from all institutions. This is a huge burden on this poor country,” he maintained.
He reiterated that it was unfair that a family member of a deceased pensioner was receiving the pension all their lives.
“Our pension bill has reached Rs800 billion. We are trying to reform it, and are also introducing contributory pension. These reforms were necessary, and we hope this will continue,” the minister concluded.
The Finance Bill 2023-24 is likely to be passed in Sunday’s session of the House. After the approval of the bill, the supplementary grants will also be put up for approval.
On Saturday, the National Assembly approved the demands and rejected the cut motions.
