ISLAMABAD: Retired soldiers have appealed to the finance minister for the rationalisation of pensions, saying the current pension amount is `very meagre and inadequate`.

According to a press release issued by the Pension Welfare Forum of retired soldiers on Sunday, retired personnel of the defence services, especially older and family pensioners are facing financial difficulties.

`In many cases, their monthly pensions fall below the minimum wage fixed by the government for unskilled labourers.

As a result, these individuals, including war veterans, are enduring severe economic hardship in their old age,` the press release stated.

It added that historically, minimum pension rates for retirees and widows have been revised approximately every four to five years. Despite these periodic increases, the current pension amounts remain woefully inadequate, with most old pensioners receiving no more than Rs12,000 per month and widows receiv-ing as little as Rs9,000 per month.

`This meagre amount is insufficient even to cover basic food expenses, let aloneotheressentialneeds of daily living. A revision is essential for a basic yet dignified standard of living. In view of the prevailing socio-economic realities and the steep rise in inflation, there is a compelling need to revise the minimum pension for retired soldiers and widows.

The recent increase in the minimum wage to Rs37,000 per month by the government highlights the standard considered, it added.

The forum emphasised that the minimum pension for old pensioners and family pensioners should be revised and brought at par with the minimum wage, currently Rs37,000, so that they may live with dignity and financial security in their later years.

`The kind attention and sympathetic consideration of the honourable finance minister in this regard will be highly appreciated by thousands of retired soldiers and hundreds of widows.`Staff Reporter