A number of retirees in Kabul have once again gathered in front of the Pension Fund Directorate to demand their unpaid pensions.
These retirees are calling on officials to pay their pensions, which they say they have not received for nearly four years.
Abdul Raoof Amin, a retiree, said: “We are demanding our pension payments. Look at what has become of this society. Today, people in need and the elderly receive financial aid from many sources. We are entering the fifth year without receiving any assistance from the Islamic Emirate, and we still have not received our pensions.”
Other retirees also stated that they spent three to four decades of their lives serving the people and the country, and now their retirement benefits, which were deducted from their salaries at the time, must be paid.
Hussein, another retiree, said: “Our only demand is that our pensions be paid. We are poor and oppressed. Our rights must be given. We ask for mercy. We have no political motives.”
Abdul Khaleq Amarkhil, another retiree, said: “This is the fourth or fifth year. What kind of government is this? Aren’t we its citizens? Haven’t we served this land? Why is no one giving us our rights? Why isn’t the Emir al-Mu’minin paying our pensions? What was the purpose of that decree?”
Four months ago, the leader of the Islamic Emirate issued a decree to establish a special court to investigate the pension payment process. However, since then, no new developments have been reported by the interim government regarding pension payments.