(Based on a report by Khabrain TV)
A recent report highlights what is described as a “story of oppression” involving retired employees of the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL). For 11 long years, these pensioners have been locked in a struggle to receive their rightful pension dues, facing numerous obstacles despite favorable court rulings.
The saga began when ZTBL pensioners first approached the Peshawar High Court (PHC) seeking redressal. The PHC ruled in their favor, directing ZTBL to make immediate arrangements for pension payments, affirming the pensioners’ claims were justified.
However, ZTBL bank management chose to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The Supreme Court subsequently remanded the case back to the PHC, asking for a fresh review. Upon re-examination, the PHC again ruled decisively in favor of the retired employees, mandating ZTBL bank to pay the pensions.
Undeterred, ZTBL bank management appealed to the Supreme Court for a second time. After years of proceedings, the Supreme Court finally upheld the pensioners’ rights, delivering a verdict in their favor. This ruling explicitly stated that pensions should be paid to the eligible retirees, and in cases where pensioners had passed away during the long wait, their dues should be given to their legal heirs.
The immense delay has taken a severe toll. The report stresses the hardship faced by these elderly pensioners, many of whom rely solely on their pensions for basic necessities, including crucial medical expenses. Tragically, a significant number of these ZTBL bank pensioners have passed away during the 11-year struggle, never receiving the money they were rightfully owed.
The reporter drew a parallel, referencing the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) pensioners’ case. He mentioned lawyer Salman Akram Raja reportedly informing the Supreme Court that 1500 NBP pensioners had died awaiting their dues.
The implication is clear: while funds are available for high executive salaries, perks, and legal battles against its own retired workforce, the bank is unwilling to pay the comparatively smaller amounts owed as pensions to those who served the institution for years without engaging in corruption. The role of the ZTBL bank Media Manager, Zahid Hussain, was also questioned, suggesting his past media connections might be used to manage or suppress negative publicity regarding the bank’s irregularities.
Frustrated by the continued delays, the ZTBL Bank pensioners and their representatives have indicated plans for action. Furthermore, they plan to petition the Supreme Court for an early hearing of the review petition, hoping to expedite a final resolution.
The reporter made a direct appeal to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to look into the matter urgently, noting that the case itself is not complex, having already been decided multiple times in the pensioners’ favor.
