Govt retirees: Budget approved but pensions not paid

KABUL (TOLOnews): Following the ratification of the 1403 fiscal year budget, several retirees once again called on the interim government to pay their retirement pensions.

They claim that they have not received their retirement pensions for nearly three years, and their economic challenges are increasing daily.

Sayedullah, who dedicated 36 years of his life to serving the country, states that despite promises and commitments, he has not seen any practical steps taken to pay his pension.

Sayedullah told TOLOnews: “Look at my documents; it is written that their collected money should be returned according to the law. This is the decree of the leader of the Islamic Emirate. Just look.”

Retiree Mohammad Issa said: “There are more than 170,000 retirees. If you consider their families, it amounts to millions of people currently living in misery.”

Another retiree, Sayed Muzaffar, said: “Are we not citizens of Afghanistan? Do they not consider us citizens to give us our rights?”

Although the IEA has not clearly stated anything about paying retirees’ salaries, they add that the 1403 fiscal year budget aims to address the needs of all sectors that have a rightful claim to the budget.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said: “The budget should be handled transparently and allocated to the necessary extent, taking into account the needs of all sectors that require it.”

On the second day of the current solar month, the 1403 fiscal year budget was ratified by the leader of the Islamic Emirate; however, there is no mention of paying retirees’ salaries in this budget.