ISLAMABAD – New pension system in Pakistan 2021 has announced by the Finance Department, Government of Pakistan and official notification issued to the The Governor, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Karachi and The Controller General of Accounts, FBC Building, Sector G-5/2, Islamabad which is publishing on 9th January, 2021 on employeesportal.info.

I am directed to refer to the Finance Division’s letter No.12(9)Reg,612012(pt)1453 dated 5th January 2016 regarding new pension system in Pakistan through DCS and to state that following clarifications are hereby made:

1. The pension shall be paid to a pensioner through a bank account either current or PLS maintained in his own name.
2. For payment of pension through bank account as mentioned at (I) above, a Joint account shall not be valid,
3. Dedicated pension bank account shall not be mandatory for drawl of pension.
4. The requirement of indemnity bond from a pensioner, as laid down in para 3(1) and 9(xii) of the Revised SOP 2014 Issued vide Finance Division’s letter No.12(9)Reg,612012-568, dated 14-07-2014 is discontinued.

New Pension System 2021 – Disbursement of Salary

It is highlighted that Finance Division vide letter No.F.9(3)R.6/2015-548 dated 28-09-2020 has already decided that no separate bank account is required for draw / disbursement of pension for all new retirees and that it may be ensured that the pensioner starts receiving pension payment on the date it falls due, in the same bank account, he or she was receiving the salary before retirement, if he or she, desires so.

It is pertinent to mention that after necessary amendments in the relevant rules, the Federal Government is going to launch a new pension system which would cater for all the requirements/documentations digitally to further facilitate the pensioners.

Federal Pension System 2021 – Best Features

Salient features of the system are as under:-

(a) A pensioner drawing pension under clause (Iii) of sub-rule(6) of Federal Treasury Rules shall be facilitated to undergo biometric verification from any branch of a bank maintaining his pension account, every year in the months of March and October, If the pensioner is unable to undergo biometric verification due to incapacitation by bodily illness, Infirmity or if his fingerprints do not exist due to old or a genetic condition, he will provide a life Certificate signed by a person authorized under rule 343 every six months.

(b) The declaration shall be obtained yearly from pensioners who pension is terminable by their marriage or remarriage and shall be attached to the pension bill paid in September instead of December and June.

(c) Further, submission of declaration regarding marriage or remarriage will be dispensed with after the widow or daughter of the pensioner attains the age of sixty years.

(d) If a person drawing pension fails to submit, a life certificate or falls to undergo biometric verification during the months of March and October or a pensioner does not draw pension for consecutive six months, the account shall become dormant.

Accordingly. it is requested that necessary instructions may please be issued to all the banks / concerned Accounts Offices in this regard to facilitate the pensioners.

By Nazir Siyal / DNA

KARACHI: First upper Sindh M-Phill Journalist in the media was registered in a fake FIR in theft a TV logo case and abused several months by companion and police. Session Court released fake case against Journalist after IO fake submissions and witnesses.Talking to the senior journalist on Saturday, M-Phill Journalist Ayaz Hussain Gillani told that Larkana Market police had registered fake FIR No. 57/2020 under section 380, 420 and 34 PPC against him by a complainer and companion with police some 8-9 months before.After, delay prosecutions and police threats of further cases and pressures continuously, later on,  complainant pray for withdrawal the case in local court, which released respected journalist today.

It is pertinent to be mentioned here that the police failed to protect media persons and human rights violations are at the rise in the different parts of Sindh province, suffering journalist told that it was due to professional jealously and police tout registered fake case of TV Logo theft and it is black mark in journalism history.Police only support criminal activities and did not registered FIRs against naked criminal activities like, murder, rape, tortures, kidnappings etc. added, he said but an educated journalist was held under the fake FIR to ruin his career under the directions of police officials and so called media.

Meanwhile, around thirty leading editors, journalists, lawyers and human rights activists have expressed concern at the delay in approval of the draft Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill, 2020 that would provide a safe environment for practice of journalism in Pakistan.  The draft Bill, which provides a strong base for legislation for protection of media, was presented to the federal cabinet by the Ministry of Human Rights a year ago but is still awaiting approval by the body.

In a series of consultations organised by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the stakeholders comprising journalists, lawyers and human rights activists, emphasised the importance of empowering the Independent Commission which will be the main mechanism for ensuring media safety and for holding to account those to attack or threaten journalists.     The stakeholders recommended that the Independent Commission should be further strengthened by including representatives of the main duty bearers such as the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, as well as media and civil society stakeholders as members of the Independent Commission.

The media and civil society stakeholders also recommended that the Independent Commission should be given the authority and the means to hold to account those who attack the media with impunity. Experts felt that giving the Commission power to monitor investigations was not enough and that it should have the authority to summon records and personnel of relevant departments and should also have contempt of court powers if they refuse to appear before the Commission. 

The journalists’ protection bill should focus solely on the safety of the media and should not have any provisions that could be considered as tools to control the flow of information or restrict freedom of expression.A detailed analysis of the draft bill and recommendations of the stakeholders is contained in the Policy Paper on Draft Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill, 2020 produced by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) as part of the Civil Society for Independent Media and Expression (CIME) initiative jointly undertaken with Centre for Peace and Development and Media Matters for Democracy.

KARACHI, Jan 09 (DNA): Federal Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati on Saturday said that the resources of the country should be used for the welfare of the country and masses as Rs 40 billion will be paid (to meet losses of Pakistan Railways) from the tax-payers money.

He said this while addressing a press conference at the City Railways Station here on Saturday. He said that it is top priority to ensure the passengers and freight trains should reach their respective destinations safely on-time. Azam Swati pointed out that the last five months’ losses of Pakistan Railways stand at Rs 17 billion, at the moment and efforts will be made to minimize the losses.

He said that the situation in different sections in the Railways is being evaluated, to ensure ample utilization of the available resources. Azam Swati said that he will also pay vibrant attention to the freight of Pakistan Railways. Freight generates at the moment Rs 11 billion annually in the shape of revenue. It would be increased up to Rs 22 billion, with in few months with the help of same resources and manpower, he said.

He expressed gratitude to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), especially for the action which is being taken against illegal encroachment in Karachi as a surveillance team works under the CJP. All encroachments will be removed from the land of Pakistan Railways, with the help of CJP, he said. He termed the passengers and freight as pride of Railways and said all these facilities and services are for serving masses and all out efforts will be made to bring further improvement in it.

The schools and dinning service would be out-sourced, he said. Azam Khan Swati called upon media to put a strict eye on himself as well as on officials of the Pakistan Railways to point out the shortcomings and make them mend their ways. Terming media as fifth pillar of the State, he said that the media should guide him as well as officials concerned to bring further improvement in the Railways so as to improve services.

He told a questioner that he would hold a video conference with the officials of the Uzbekistan on January 11, to discuss the matters related to the trilateral railway project connecting Pakistan with Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan has already laid tracks up to Mazar-e-Shareef and now that has to be connected from Mazar-e-Shareef to Kabul and Kabul to Peshawer, he said.

To a question about surprise visits by the Railways Minister and actions taken against the negligent staffers, he responded that only one staffer of Pakistan Railways was suspended on negligence and action will be taken as per due process and law. Inquiry is under process in this regard, he said. DNA

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LAHORE, JAN 9 (DNA) – The Karakoram Express, which runs between Karachi and Lahore, was delayed for 12 hours after which passengers staged a protest at the Lahore Railway Station.

The passengers had reached the train station for its scheduled departure at 3pm on Friday. They were told that the train has been delayed because of technical difficulties.

They continued to wait for hours but no action was taken.

The protesters then gathered outside the station master’s office and inquired about the delay. Some became angry and broke windows at the office.

The train finally departed Saturday at 3am.=DNA

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ISLAMABAD, JAN 9  –  The Higher Education Commission has reminded students who are looking forward to applying for scholarships abroad that three of the programmes deadlines’ were right around the corner.

Taking to Twitter, the HEC on Friday said: “These #scholarship programmes are currently open/active for intake of September 2021 batch.”

The scholarships include the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarships, Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, and Chinese Government Scholarships, it said.

Deadlines to apply:

• Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarships — January 15
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2021 — January 18
• Chinese Government Scholarships 2021 — January 18

KARACHI, JAN 09 (DNA) – Cold wave persists in Karachi as minimum temperature dropped to 5.8º Celsius on Saturday morning.

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) in a weather report predicted cold and dry weather in the city with 36 percent humidity. Northerly/Northeasterly winds are blowing in the city. Maximum temperature in daytime could go as above as 25º Celsius on Saturday, according to the met office.

Severe cold weather in Karachi is expected to last for few more days. Karachi had recorded its coldest night in last 12 years when the mercury dropped to 5.6°C on the new year night between Thursday and Friday.

According to the met department, the temperature will hover between 7°C and 9°C in the coming days. Cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country while very cold in Northern Areas and North Balochistan. Dense fog is expected in plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh. = DNA

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ISLAMABAD, JAN 9 (DNA) – Capital Development Authority (CDA) restored 10,000 street lights during the year 2020. 53% lights of capital city have been restored. 100% lights will be functional in the city within the time period of two months.

According to detail, CDA’s work on repairing of street lights is underway in the city. The authority installed 10,000 street lights at various spots in the city including the main roads, link roads, parks, streets, and other public places during the year 2020.

Prior to this, 70% lights in the city were not functional. 53% street lights are currently functional in the city.

The work on restoration of the street lights is continued in the city in 4 shifts. Holidays of the staff of the department of street lights have been canceled. 52% tenders have been given by CDA for the restoration of the street lights in the city. 28 more tenders will be issued on January 20. 100% street lights will be restored in coming 2 months.

CDA is also working on restoration of street lights in parks and green belts. Their tenders will also be opened very soon. CDA is paying much attention on restoration of the street lights.

The authority released funds in this regard few months back. 90% street lights have been restored at Express Highway, Srinagar Highway, Constitutional Avenue, Margala Road, 7th avenue, 9th avenue, Shakarparian park, F-9 park, Kachnar Park, I-8, I-10, G-8, G-7, F-7, F-6, F-8, F-9, F-10, I-10, and I-9. Whereas, the work is continued at sub sectors, markets, link roads, and other places.=DNA

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