THE sequence of events is such that in 2009 some of the pensioners had obtained relief from the Lahore High Court to the extent that the increase granted in pension during 15 years commutation period was also allowed along with the restored amount of 50 per cent pension.

In 2011, an intra court appeal against this decision was dismissed by a division bench. Subsequent petitions filed by the AGPR in the Supreme Court were also dismissed being barred by time. Ipso facto, the case had attained finality.

On the above analogy, relief was also provided by the Punjab Service Tribunal and the Federal Service Tribunal to quite a number of retirees. The federal government appealed against the orders of the Federal Service Tribunal in the Supreme Court which was dismissed on April 24. The revision petition had also met the same fate for non-prosecution.

A number of pensioners of the Punjab government have also got from the Lahore High Court favourable orders, which have since been implemented by the provincial government.

The system of commutation was abolished in 2001.

Therefore, the prospective beneficiaries are those who had retired before 2001 and are of the age of 75 years and above.

The Chief Justice of Pakistan is requested to come to the rescue of these senior citizens and order implementation of the judgments of the courts in all identical cases.

A. RAOOF                  Lahore