BANNU: Pensioners of the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Bannu have staged a protest against the non-payment of their pensions for the last six to seven months.

The protesters said they had dedicated their entire service careers to serving the public and the institution, but are now facing severe hardships after retirement. According to the pensioners, the prolonged delay in pension payments has left many families struggling to meet basic household expenses, while several retirees have fallen into debt.

They stated that most pensioners are elderly and no longer able to earn a livelihood, making their pensions their only source of income.

The protesters also alleged that they have been subjected to inappropriate treatment at the TMA office while seeking their lawful dues. They claimed that basic facilities, including electricity, fans, and drinking water, were unavailable during their visits to the office.

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According to the pensioners, more than 483 retirees and their family members are facing serious financial difficulties due to the delay in payments.

The protesters urged the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and relevant authorities to immediately release outstanding pension arrears and ensure regular monthly pension payments. They specifically appealed to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to intervene and ensure that pensioners receive their legitimate rights without further delay.