Landmark Verdict Supports Pension Entitlement
ISLAMABAD: Government employees have won as Supreme court confirmed pension entitlement for employees after completing 20 years of service. Supreme court rules that pension is basic and constitutional right of every single employee who completed 20 years of service.
Usman, who resigned in September 2007 after completing twenty years of service, had filed a petition seeking his pension benefits. The tribunal had denied his claim, citing an internal requirement of twenty-five years of service. The Supreme Court, however, declared this condition legally invalid, affirming that 20 years of qualifying service is sufficient for pension entitlement.
The ruling emphasizes that pension is not a privilege or concession granted by the government but a right guaranteed under the Constitution. The apex court’s decision is expected to have wide-ranging implications for thousands of government employees whose pension claims were previously restricted or delayed.
Pension Is a Right, Not a Concession
Justice Shafi Siddiqui, who wrote the judgment, clarified that pensionary benefits cannot be denied or limited based on departmental interpretations. “Pension entitlement does not expire due to a late application and is not subject to the Limitation Act,” the judgment read.
The bench also highlighted that Regulation 418 of service rules only pertains to service calculation. Any attempt by departments or tribunals to restrict pension rights beyond what is legally prescribed is invalid.
The ruling was delivered by a bench including Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb. The judges unanimously confirmed that Muhammad Usman is entitled to full pensionary benefits under the law.
This decision sets a clear precedent, emphasizing that government employees cannot be denied pensions arbitrarily. It also reinforces that constitutional protections for workers must be upheld, regardless of departmental regulations or procedural technicalities.
Implications for Government Employees
Legal experts say the Supreme Court verdict could benefit many retired or resigned employees who were previously denied pension benefits due to additional service requirements. The judgment may also prompt government departments to review their pension policies to ensure compliance with constitutional provisions.
The ruling sends a strong message that the state must respect employees’ service rights. Pension, as a constitutional entitlement, ensures financial security for government servants after years of public service.
Muhammad Usman’s case highlights the challenges employees face in claiming pensions but also shows that the judiciary can uphold fundamental rights against bureaucratic obstacles.
