Pensioners in PoJK Protest Against Family Pension Cuts Amidst Economic Strain

Retired government workers in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir protested in Muzaffarabad against the IMF-mandated family pension ban. The demonstrators, organized by the Pensioners Association, emphasized the financial instability resulting from the cuts and called for the reinstatement of pensions for widowed women and the release of pending amounts.

Retired government workers in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir staged a protest outside the Secretariat in Muzaffarabad. Organized by the Pensioners Association, demonstrators voiced their outrage over the IMF-mandated ban on family pensions.

The protesters highlighted the government's decision to terminate pensions for widowed women, emphasizing the financial instability these cuts cause. Raja Mumtaz, a representative of the Pensioners Association, articulated the key demands of the demonstrators.

"Our two demands are of utmost importance. First, we insist that the pensions for widowed daughters, which have been halted, be reinstated," he said. The protesters also called for the release of a pending 10 percent amount and an increase in university employee pensions.

Protesters further asserted that pensioners in PoJK are being denied the recent pension increase announced by Pakistan's PM, warning of possible repercussions. "Save Pakistan from breaking apart. Grant us our rights," said another protester. Their shared struggles reflect the broader economic challenges and rising inflation impacting their lives.