Thousands of retired employees of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) as well as the families of deceased employees, are facing severe financial hardship due to non-increase in their pension from last five (5) years under this ever high inflationary environment. According to the sources, pension of CAA retired employees has been increased since inception of the Authority in 1982 to 2019 as per Federal Govt notifications. In 2020, the Federal Govt did not increase in pension due to covid. ccordingly, pension of CAA pensioners was also not increased. In 2021, 2022 and 2023, CAA management only increased the pension of employees, who retired before 30 June 2014 as per Federal Govt notifications. However, pension increases of above years were not allowed to the employees, who retired after 01 July 2014 due to wrong interpretation of service regulations. Consequently, a three members Fact Finding Committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Senior Joint Secretary, Aviation Division, who presented the report in a meeting of Sub-Committee of Senate Standing Committee held on 30 Jan 2024 chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwala, wherein, the Secretary Aviation who is also Chairperson CAA Board ensured the Senate Committee that the matter would be presented to CAA Board as soon as its formation is complete by the Govt after general elections held on 08 Feb 2024. Meanwhile in January 2024, Islamabad High Court also passed orders to resolve the issue within 60 days. However, all in vain due to failure of Govt to appoint private members in PCAA Board as per new Act 2023, whereby presence of one private member is an essential requirement to complete the quorum of meeting. It is worth mentioning that CAA board is non-functional since promulgation of new Act on 10 Nov 2023 resulting delays and problems in other important official matters including Budget of the Authority.
According to the Pakistan Demographic Survey, the average lives of Pakistani citizens is around 66 years. Therefore, many pensioners have passed away during last five years or become patients of depression, hypertension, cardiac or other sever diseases. Considering same, delay or denying increase in pension from last five years is extremely unjust, especially when the pension fund enriched by 65% of pensioners’ own commutation is under CAA’s control earning substantial annual profit. Thus, no funds are required from Federal Govt or PCAA’s Fund for payment their legitimate annual pension increases and dues, pensioners claimed.
