The new year is heralding a big news for the pensioners of Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) as the government has decided to raise their annuity by 30 per cent from January 1, 2020.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sayed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari said after the increase, the EOBI pensioners would receive Rs 8,500 per month from January 1. He said the ministry will move the summary regarding the increase at the next meeting of federal cabinet for a final approval.
The EOBI pension has been enhanced by 62 per cent since the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government came into power. “We are intending to raise this amount up to Rs 15,000 by the end of our tenure (2023),” Bukhari said.
Reacting to the announcement, Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday said the 62% increase in the Employees Old-Age Benefit Institution (EOBI) pension by the present government within a year is another step towards Riyasat-e-Madina. “Our government has increased the EOBI old-age pension by 62% from Rs 5,250 to Rs 8,500 within a year. This helps us provide pensioners’ security in their post-retirement years,” he said in a tweet posted on his social media account. “Much of this contribution comes from improving the institution itself. Another step towards Madina Ki Riyasat,” he maintained.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said increase in EOBI pension is manifestation of the government’s realization of the problems of the poor and downtrodden segments of the society.
In a tweet, she said that increasing pension of the EOBI pensioners from Rs 6,500 to 8,500 is a practical step towards realization of a welfare state on the pattern of State of Madina. She said that protection and welfare of the poor segments of the society is the objective of Prime Minister Imran Khan. She said the dream of an Islamic welfare state can only be realised when the state will look after its poor citizens affectionately and that the prime minister is working for achievement of this goal.