ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel on Thursday directed the Federal Employees Benevolent and Group Insurance Fund (FEB&GIF) to include government employees in Basic Pay Scales (BPS) 1 to 15 for benevolent benefits, instructing the management to pursue the long-delayed actuarial recommendations on a priority basis.
The National Assembly Standing Committee on the Cabinet Secretariat took serious notice of the delay in decision-making on the recommendations of the actuarial study of the FEB&GIF and directed that the matter be pursued on a priority basis to ensure early decisions.
The committee also directed that the matter be taken up with the Finance Division for a decision on the proposed contribution to the Fund on behalf of employees in BPS 1 to 15, observing that the issue had already been delayed considerably.
It further observed that retiring employees should be entitled to the benefits of the Fund upon their retirement rather than such benefits being extended only after their death. It also directed that the matter of including professional degrees in the fee reimbursement scheme of the FEB&GIF be placed before its board for an early decision.The additional secretary of Establishment Division and deputy managing director of the Fund assured the committee that all these matters would be pursued vigorously with the relevant forums to ensure timely decisions and relief for federal government employees.
The committee was also briefed on implementation status of the recommendations regarding Islamabad Club made during its previous meeting, particularly those relating to the admission policy to facilitate the membership of other family members of existing club members, provision of medical facilities and honorarium to all club employees without discrimination, and ensuring payment of at least the minimum wages prescribed by the government.
The committee emphasised the importance of addressing these matters and directed that the proposals be placed before the Islamabad Club Board for early consideration and decision.
The secretary of Islamabad Club said that initiatives including community development and corporate social responsibility initiatives were being actively pursued.
He said that state of the art infrastructure had been provided at the club for members wishing to be part of equestrian and polo activities. He said that presently Islamabad Club had reciprocal arrangements with eight national and 13 international clubs.
Apprising about the club’s ongoing development and future expansion plans, he said that budgetary provisions had been made in the development budget for the current financial year 2026-2027.