Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has mandated the Employees’ Old Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) to grant lifelong pension benefits to Mr. Muhammad Shehzad, a visually impaired individual who was initially denied pension following the death of his pensioner father.
According to Press Information Department, the decision came after Mr. Shehzad, who has been blind since birth, appealed to the President upon rejection of his pension claim by EOBI. The institution had previously cited a legal stipulation that only male minors under 18 are eligible for family pensions, overlooking Mr. Shehzad’s disability and circumstances. The President’s directive emphasized compassion and legal fairness under the Constitution of Pakistan, particularly referencing the rights and protections afforded to persons with disabilities under Articles 9 and 25.
President Zardari’s intervention ensures that Mr. Shehzad will receive a pension amount not less than what his father was earning before his death, highlighting the state’s responsibility to support its most vulnerable citizens. The President also recommended a review and revision of EOBI’s policies to align them with federal guidelines on disability inclusion.