Through your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the federal government authorities, in the context of the upcoming budget, regarding the extremely low pension being paid by the ‘EOBI’ to private retired employees.
It is deeply unfortunate that the poor workers who spend their entire lives working day and night in mills, factories, industries, and offices contributing to the national economy also have deductions made from their salaries every month under EOBI contributions.
However, when these hardworking individuals retire, the pension they receive is woefully inadequate – almost non-existent, given the rising inflation. Currently, the monthly pension of EOBI is only Rs. 11,500, while this is less than the Rs. 13,500 monthly received by BISP individuals.
One can only imagine how a small family consisting of a small family, can survive in these harsh economic conditions with such a meager amount. Should they pay electricity bills, gas bills, or meet basic household expenses? At old age, finding employment also becomes nearly impossible.
The pension of government retired employees is increased every year while we are ignored. Therefore, I humbly request the honorable Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain to take serious notice of this issue. And, in the upcoming federal budget, the EOBI pension should be increased to equivalent to Labours’ monthly wage of Rs. 37,000 so that senior EOBI pensioners can live with dignity in the face of rising inflation.
Sheikh Muhammad Ishaq (Karachi)
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026