ISLAMABAD: Pensioners of the National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research (NIHCR) have urged the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the federal government to take immediate steps to resolve the institute’s long-standing pension crisis, warning that retired employees should not continue to suffer due to administrative delays and financial mismanagement.
The pensioners said repeated appeals to the relevant authorities have so far produced no tangible results, leaving many retirees facing severe financial hardship. They called on the HEC to designate a dedicated focal person to verify and resolve NIHCR’s outstanding pension liabilities without further delay.
They also appealed to the Ministry of Finance to consider a targeted financial support package to help clear the institute’s pension backlog and ensure the timely disbursement of retirement benefits.
Describing the issue as a matter of fundamental rights rather than a routine budgetary concern, the pensioners urged all stakeholders to treat the matter with the urgency it deserves. They stressed that retired employees who served the institute with honesty and dedication throughout their careers should not be forced to wait indefinitely for their lawful pensions.
“The buck must stop somewhere,” the pensioners said, calling for greater accountability and swift coordination among the HEC, the Ministry of Finance, and NIHCR management to end the prolonged uncertainty.
They emphasized that honoring pension commitments is both a legal and moral obligation, adding that the institute must fulfill its responsibilities promptly and without further excuses to safeguard the dignity and welfare of its retired employees.
— Kehkashan Tabbasum
