THE issue of increasing or decreasing the retirement age, which currently stands at 60, crops up time and again because of self-centred approaches of bureaucracy or political considerations by governments in power. According to reports, the Committee constituted by Prime Minister Imran Khan under the chairmanship of Advisor on Institutional Reforms Dr Ishrat Hussain, has recommended against any increase in view of its obvious implications for the youth.
Hopefully, after a final nod by the Prime Minister/Cabinet, the recommendation would become a decision and bring to an end the unnecessary debate or expectations in this regard. The Committee was assigned the task of studying legal, financial, administrative, organizational efficiency and economic aspects of the issue and must have come to the conclusion on the basis of its findings. Increase in retirement age in countries like Pakistan where hundreds of thousands of highly qualified youth are jobless would be nothing but luxury that the country cannot afford but still such proposals are floated, generally, by senior and influential bureaucrats who are close to superannuation and are not mentally prepared to part with perks and privileges that increase with senior and length of service. The argument that increase in retirement age would help reduce the rising pension liabilities is self-deception and a notion based on short-sighted approach and thinking. A civil servant has to retire one day (even if the retirement age is increased to 63 as was proposed) and in fact, by then the Government will have to pay more to him as his pay would increase during the period. It would also be injustice to all those who are unable to find any job. PTV Board has taken a wise decision to send all employees on compulsory LPR (Leave Preparatory to Retirement) at the age of 58 and the same needs to be replicated in ministries and departments as well.
