The KDA Pensioners Welfare Association staged a protest outside the office of the Director General (DG) Karachi Development Authority (KDA) and Member Finance, demanding the immediate payment of pending pensions and dues of retired employees. The pensioners expressed frustration over prolonged delays, particularly with Eid-ul-Fitr approaching.
Speaking at the protest, Sajid Hasan, General Secretary of the KDA Pensioners Welfare Association, revealed that the DG KDA had imposed a ban on all payments except for salaries and pensions this month. However, he pointed out that Five lac rupees was disbursed for the DG KDA’s car maintenance, raising concerns over the priorities of the management.
He urged the authorities to take immediate action as only four working days remain before Eid.
Muhammad Abdul Maroof, President of the KDA Employees Union (CBA), also addressed the gathering, assuring support to the pensioners and calling on the Sindh Minister for Local Government to approve the charter of demand submitted by the union, which has been pending.
Khurram Arif, a representative of the KDA Officers Association, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that retired employees dedicated their entire lives to the department and deserve timely financial support.
Other speakers, including KDA Pensioners Association and KDA Workers union representatives Iftikhar Ali Khan and Nisar Ahmed, along with labour leader Qamar Uz Zafar, KDA Employees Union CBA Spokesman Yasir Ali Khan urged the management to take immediate steps to resolve the long-standing issues.
Following the protest, a delegation of pensioners met with DG KDA, who assured them that efforts would be made to release pension payments soon. He also promised to pursue the approval of a Rs. 3 billion grant from the Sindh government to settle the outstanding dues of retired employees.
A large number of retired employees and KDA officers participated in the demonstration, highlighting the widespread concern over the delay in payments.