The assets of Pakistan Telecommunication Employees Trust (PTET) are being used by a cellular company and this needs to be investigated. This was revealed before the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication which met with Senator Rubina Khalid in the chair here on Monday. The committee adopted a report of the subcommittee constituted to address the issue of non-payment of the increased pension to the retired employees of PTCL by the PTET.
Rubina Khalid observed that the pensioners have entered a crucial phase of their lives and are facing hardships in making both the ends meet. The committee expressed its serious concern over the non-compliance of its recommendations. She called for early solution of the problems of the pensioners. Convener of the sub-Committee Senator Engr Rukhsana Zuberi briefed the committee about the overall situation of pensioners and the affairs of the PTET, and presented a detailed report on the deliberations carried out by the subcommittee.
She said that financial losses, incompetence and other lapses resulted in shrinking the financial strength and resultantly pensioners faced the difficult situation. She apprised the committee of the recommendations to improve the situation and provide relief to poor pensioners. She further said that the trust's building is being used by a cellular company. The committee had directed for production of the agreement - a building of PTET - but it was not produced. Rukhsana Zuberi further said that the Supreme Court's order was not complied with by the PTET with respect to disbursement of increased pensions of retired employees. The Trust has spent Rs 70 million on stay order while the pending Rs 7 billion has not been released to pensioners. There was no tax on the Trust during 2006-2011 then why Rs 7 billion was not released to pensioners.
While sympathising with the pensioners of PTCL, Rubina Khalid observed that their rights would be protected. She said the committee would play its assertive role in this regard as retired employees are passing through testing times of their lives. She, however, deplored the attitude of the authorities for turning a deaf ear to the grievances of the poor employees.
She said that the committee would present a detailed report in the House and would continue to pursue the matter to provide legal and constitutional rights to pensioners. Rehman Malik said that pensioners have not received pensions so far despite the fact that the Supreme Court has already given a decision in this regard. He said that pensioners are going through tough times but unfortunately the concerned authorities are adamant and not moving towards the resolution of the issue. He called for taking stern action against those involved.
Mian Muhammad Atiq Sheikh said that the PTET's assets are being used by a cellular company which needs to be investigated. The committee after having a detailed discussion also sought views from the representatives of the retired employees. They appealed to the committee and other concerned authorities to provide relief to pensioners of the PTCL.
Malik also raised voice for the innocent Kashmiris. He said that international community must take cognisance of the situation prevailing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. The meeting was attended by senators Shahzad Wasim, Rehman Malik, Mian Muhammad Atiq Sheikh, Engr Rukhsana Zuberi and Sana Jamali, besides senior officers of the Ministry of IT.
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