Open Letter to Prime Minister
Information Minister
At a time when pensioners/ government employees across the country are looking forward for relief in budget 2026-27 and making demands, to honourably survive, the helpless and unfortunate pensioners of Radio Pakistan, have been deprived of the seven percent increase granted in 2025-26 budget. The serving officers and staff are no exception.
The pensioners have been going from pillar to post through the year, drawing attention of all concerned, including your complaint cell, and your x account, but in vain.
The elderly ailing pensioners filed several petitions with Federal Ombudsman, but got no relief so far.
Sir,
PBC was recently removed from privatization list and declared strategic entity because of its extremely crucial services to ensure national cohesion, inter-faith harmony, and build the narrative of the state, faced with numerous challenges. The importance of this medium cannot be underestimated. Mullah FM radio, during war on terror, proved this without an iota of doubt.
Use of social media platforms, besides conventional broadcasting, makes Radio Pakistan a unique organisation. It safeguards the ideological frontiers of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. This is the only media outlet that broadcasts programes in all regional languages.
It is unfortunate that suffient funds to run it smoothly are not being given, by the bureaucracy, that is known for making the possible impossible. Due to this behavior, financial liabilities are multiplying with every month and year.
Commutation has not been given to pensioners for past five years or so, medical allowance being denied to senior citizens in violation of regulations in vogue.
Political intervention, and bold decisions have become need of the hour to save this national asset from going bankrupt.
Hope you will personally look into the matter and spare some time to listen to genuine grievances of pensioners.
A. Raoof Khan
Information Secretary
Radio Pakistan Pensioners’ Welfare Association.
