Ex-Servicemen demand 25% hike in pensions
CHITRAL: Retired persons from Pak Army Ex Service man association held a peaceful rally at Booni some 75 KM from here carrying banners inscribed with their demand for inclusion of 25% out-door medical allowance in their monthly pension. The rally was started from THQ hospital Booni passing through various Bazars and ended at BLSO office where it converted into a public meeting.
Addressing at the occasion, senior citizens retired from Pak Army said that 25% outdoor medical allowance is being given to retired persons from Police, Border Police, Chitral Scouts, Navy and other departments from 1st July 2010 but retired personals from Pak Army were deprived. They said that because of the absence of Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Chitral, Dir, Malakand and other adjacent districts the pensioners are facing loads of problems.
They said that in case of illness when a retired military person approach to CMH Peshawar or Rawalpindi they spent thousands of rupees taking by two days journey with great troubles but they were giving only Dispirine tablets of 50 rupees. They said that if they were given 25% outdoor medical allowance in their monthly pension they can continue their treatment at their doorstep and will be saved from difficulties of travelling to down districts . They said that this allowance is giving to all pensioners from 1st July 2010 and they are trying for this allowance and sent so many applications to President, Prime Minister, GHQ and even to Corps Commander Peshawar but they were not replied not they were given their right. They also demanded for establishment of Fouji foundation hospital at Chitral along with this allowance. They warned that if they were not given their genuine rights they will be compelled to came on roads and continue their protest until fulfillment of their genuine and long awaited demand. At last they also offer Fatiha (prayer) for souls of martyred soldiers who died in Sia Cheen sector. The meeting was disbursed peacefully.
