MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected officials of the AJK Pensioners Association was held in Samah Bandi at the residence of Syed Sadiq Hussain Shah, attracting a large number of retired employees.
The oath was administered by Dr Raja Muhammad Arif (Retired), former Additional Chief Secretary General of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Raja Mumtaz Khan took the oath as President and Syed Sadiq Hussain Shah as Secretary General.
Several notable figures addressed the gathering, including Dr Raja Muhammad Arif, Raja Mumtaz Khan, Syed Nazir Hussain Shah, Bashir Ahmad Dar, Bashir Tareen, Qazi Sadiq, Kabir Awan, and APCA Azad Kashmir President Ramzan Mughal. The event began with the hoisting of the national flag, setting a patriotic tone for the proceedings.
Speakers stressed the unity of pensioners and expressed readiness to stand by the armed forces of Pakistan in the face of any external aggression. They warned that any Indian hostility would be met with a strong and united response.
The gathering also highlighted concerns about ongoing regional conflicts, including the Kashmir and Palestine issues, which they said are fuelling instability in the region.
Participants condemned the recent Pahalgam incident, terming it a diversionary tactic to draw attention away from movements within India. They emphasised that India’s actions pose a threat to peace in both the region and the wider world.
The speakers called for national, political, and military unity to strengthen national defence and deter any hostile intentions.
The AJK Pensioners Association also voiced strong opposition to proposed reforms affecting pensioners.
They criticised the discontinuation of pensions for widowed daughters in AJK, calling it a grave injustice and demanded its immediate restoration.
They also called for the payment of three months’ pending dues with a 10 per cent increment, a 50 per cent increase in overall pensions, and an additional 25 per cent special allowance due to the unique circumstances in AJK.
Leaders announced the launch of a “Save Pension Campaign” and pledged to collaborate with active service associations across AJK and Pakistan to fight for their rights. A province-wide tour and a campaign ahead of the federal budget were also announced.
