THIS refers to S. M. Asadullah Faiz’s letter ‘EOBI pension amount too small’ (April 12). I agree with his concern on the meagre pension being paid to employees after attaining the age of 60.

I served as general manager in a government corporation for almost 25 years. After my retirement, the EOBI paid me only Rs1,320 per month till June 2007 which was revised to Rs1,500 in July 2007.

It is worth mentioning that no pension or medical facility is allowed by the government to me or other retired employees. In October 2008, when the inflation rate in Pakistan was at its historic peak of 25.35 per cent (August 2008), the amount was raised by only Rs500, making it Rs2,000 a month. Later in November 2010, the amount was raised to Rs3,000 a month which remains unchanged to date.

This amount is paid for type ‘A’. We all know the inflation rate is currently close to 15 per cent. In this situation, it is rather unfair to the senior citizens who are neglected by the government. They have to visit banks for collection of EOBI pension every month and incur conveyance expenses from the pension amount in the wake of ever-increasing petrol prices.

It has been suggested over and over again to deposit pension amount in pensioners’ bank account to give them some relief and convenience. But the government seems to pay no heed.

The state provides no monetary benefits or discounts to senior citizens. I feel that ageing gracefully is the desire of all citizens and they wish to overcome the challenges of ageing with dignity and grace.

My strong feeling is that senior citizens need to be honoured for all they have done for their families, society and the country. Yet they are made to stand in long queues in banks and other utility service centres despite their ailments and handicaps.

I request the government to increase the amount under EOBI head by at least 100 per cent in the coming budget in order to bring it to a respectable level. On announcement of every budget, senior citizens look forward to some increase as done for other government pensioners’. But they are always demoralised and disappointed.

I also request the authorities concerned to deposit the amount in the pensioners account directly.

SHAMIM SAGHER Karachi