Retired govt workers say pensions not being paid

KABUL (Agencies): Some retired government workers who claimed not to have been paid pensions held protests in Kabul on Thursday.
The retirees said they have not received their pensions this year or last year, and they face economic challenges.
“it is my right, I ask for my rights, and it’s halal for me, I do not want charity, we do not want alms,” said Nor Iqbal, a former employee of the Interior Ministry.
Retirees said that despite the government’s promises, nothing has been done for them yet.
“We call on the Islamic Emirate to pay our pensions, it is our right,” said Mohammad Afzal, a retired woman.
“In 1401, 4 billion afghani were allocated for retirement salaries, but the plan was not approved by Islamic Emirate leadership, and for this reason, they do not pay salaries,” said Ahmad Wali Haqmal, a spokesman for the Finance Ministry.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance said that in 1402 they allocated the budget for retirement salaries.
According to the Finance Ministry, more than 149,000 retirees, 10,000 of whom are women, did not receive their salaries.