EOBI pensioners
The six hundred thousand (0.6 million) pensioners of the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) were happy to receive increased pension in April 2020. Their pension was increased from Rs6500 to…
Empowered ageing
THIS year’s theme for International Day of Older Persons, observed on Oct 1 each year, is ‘Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being, Our Rights’. This…
The last pit
GEORGE Masih had unclogged six completely choked raw sewage gutters with his bare hands. Working since 1 am, he was tired and felt increasingly dizzy. He gasped for every breath…
Digitally deprived
NOT too long ago, the US Office of Personnel Management sent an email to approximately 2.4 million federal employees, requesting them to list the five things they did last week. Over 1m…
Traffic discipline
As the number of vehicles on the roads continues to grow, traffic conditions worsen – despite notable improvements in road infrastructure and signage. Near the police checkpoint at Niazbeg Thokar…
Pakistan’s exploited workers
There are not many among us who are interested in the working conditions and wages of low-paid workers. Naeem Sadiq is perhaps the only one who consistently highlights the extremely…
Capture the moment
FOUR momentous days in May 2025 will be etched forever in the history of Pakistan. They do not just make us immensely proud but also provide a historic opportunity to…
Ignored challenge
IT is the season of mindlessness. Seminars on climate change are in, while family planning services are out. Taking loans is in, while thinking with one’s own brain is out.…
Disabled colliers
KHADIM Faqir (not his real name), 27, still remembers the fateful day nearly four years ago when the 1,200-metre-deep coal mine he was working in, collapsed. Days later when he…
Labour schemes
IN the 1960s, governments started introducing labour welfare schemes primarily comprising benefits such as medical care and cash benefits, old-age pension, housing, free school education, share in company profit and…
