Hundreds of government employees organized protests in Islamabad on Wednesday, demanding the withdrawal of recently introduced pension reforms that, according to them, will negatively affect their financial security.
The protesters met at the Chowk Secretariat, blocking both entries to the Government Secretariat.
A strong police presence was deployed, including higher officers, to control the situation, which led to clashes between the police and the protesters.
Employees requested the end of what they described as discriminatory policies, including the abolition of dual pensions and changes in the pension calculation formula.
They also demanded a 10% increase in disability allocation.
The Government, which implemented the reforms on January 1, 2025, argues that changes will reduce financial liabilities and put Pakistan in line with international tax standards.
According to the new system, pensions are now calculated based on an average of the last two years of wages, instead of the final salary drawn.
The authorities argue that the new rules will help save billions annually, but protesters insist that they unfairly carry retirees who depend on government support.
The demonstrations are expected to continue as negotiations remain stagnant.
Previously, the International Monetary Fund asked about the mechanism of responsibility of public officials who have discrepancies in their asset statements, since the overwhelming majority of government employees remain exempt from the public statement of assets.
The global lender also sought to implement a verification based on the risk of the information revealed by public officials and the possible sanctions and investigation of those officials whose assets exceed their declared sources of income.
However, due to a very narrow definition of a “civil servant”, it is estimated that only 25,000 civil officials assets can be revealed even after an amendment in public officials acts as part of the IMF condition for the $ package 7 billion, government sources added.
The officers of the Autonomous Organs, the regulatory bodies such as the State Bank of Pakistan, the National Authority for the Regulation of Electric Power Filling the yields and their yields digitally. subsequent public dissemination.
Most financial decisions are taken by government employees working in these organizations, which is also reflected in the numbers and the value of audit objections printed by the Pakistan general auditor.
The IMF delegation also met with the establishment division and discussed the issues related to the promotion, publication and responsibility of public officials that serve on the basic scale of 17 to 22.
The emphasis of the delegation was beyond the dissemination of information and taking concert measures against corrupt officers, the sources said.
The meeting was held on the day the federal cabinet approved amendments in the Law of Public Officials of 1973.
