Retired individuals in Kabul express distress over economic hardships, urging for timely pension payments
Taking to the Streets of Kabul: Retirees Fume Over Pension Delays on Eid al-Adha
In Kabul, the usually joyous atmosphere of Eid al-Adha was overshadowed by the frustrations of retirees grappling with economic woes. On the first day of the holiday, these elderly residents expressed their distress over not receiving their pensions on time, as reported by Tolo News.
Zarifa, one of the affected retirees, shared her heart-wrenching tale, explaining that her family couldn't prepare for Eid this year due to their financial struggles. With a combination of sadness and hope in her voice, she implored the new rulers to consider their plight: "May the Islamic Emirate take notice of our hardships. We have no resources left."
Her sister, Zarmeena, echoed her sentiment: "If our pensions are paid, what need do we have to suffer? This has been going on for five years already. The Islamic Emirate must listen to our pleas, to the pleas of every Muslim."
Joining the chorus of complaints was Gulabuddin, another retiree, who lamented the years of unfulfilled promises: "For four years now, we’ve sent letters, but nothing has been done. Why the delay?"
Gul Mohammad, another pensioner, pleaded with the new authorities to take pity on them so they could make Eid preparations. Ahmad Zia Noori, a fellow retiree, added his voice to the growing list of pleas: "We simply want to enjoy a peaceful Eid. Stop troubling us already. We are laborers, offer us some compassion and issue the necessary orders."
These retirees are representative of many individuals who spent their careers in government institutions and now find themselves caught in the crossfire of Afghanistan's tumultuous current affairs. The economic hardships that have stemmed from delays in pension disbursements have made it impossible for them to meet their families' basic needs. To date, the Taliban has yet to comment on the issue, providing neither a timeline nor a guarantee of pension payments to alleviate the retirees' concerns.
Background Info:While the Taliban government grapples with limitations to its revenue sources and reduced international aid, it faces the pressure of providing pensions to retired civil servants. The ongoing pension payment delays are a result of a combination of economic challenges and administrative disruptions, as well as the government possibly prioritizing other urgent expenses over pension payments due to financial constraints. With no formal communication from the Taliban about plans for resolution, retirees remain uncertain about the future and the timeline for receiving their due payments. Many continue to plead for attention and action, expressing their desperation in public protests.
- Despite the ongoing war-and-conflicts and political uncertainties in Afghanistan, the economical woes of retirees go unnoticed as they struggle with pension delays, even during holidays like Eid al-Adha.
- Amidst the cries for help from thousands of retirees who spent their careers serving the government institutions, the Taliban has yet to express an opinion on the matter, leaving these individuals in further frustration and uncertainty about their future pension payments.
