No pensions for four years: Kabul retirees protest again

KABUL (TOLONews): Nearly four years after not receiving their pension entitlements, a number of retired and homebound civil servants are once again calling on the authorities to address their rights.

One such individual, Zia Gul, who is 50 years old and lives with his disabled son, is demanding access to his pension. She shares the hardship of her life: “I live in a single room and pay 5,000 Afghanis in rent. A widow whose son earns just 250 Afghanis a day, should she pay the rent or feed her family? What can she do?”

Several other retired workers have once again gathered in front of the Pension Fund Office to protest delays in the disbursement of their pension payments.

These individuals, many of whom served in government institutions for years, say that the suspension of their benefits for over four years has made it extremely difficult to meet their basic living needs.

Abdul Rauf, another retiree, said: “It’s been four years and I still haven’t received my pension. We’ve come here hoping that someone might show mercy to the elderly and the poor. We have children to care for, and these entitlements must be given.”

Abdul Baqi, who faces a similar situation, said: “A representative from the Ministry of Finance came and told us that by Saturday, our files would be processed. He said, ‘My word is the minister’s word.’”

Over the past four years, pensioners have repeatedly gathered in front of various government offices in Kabul to press for their rights. However, the caretaker government has yet to announce a clear timeline for when these pension payments will be issued.