In a landmark decision providing major relief to government employees’ families, the Punjab government has restored the lifetime family pension scheme. Under the revised law, widows and unmarried daughters of deceased government employees will once again be entitled to receive a family pension for life.
This decision overturns the earlier policy introduced last year, which had restricted pension benefits to a maximum of 10 years after the death of an employee. The restoration ensures financial stability for the dependents of government employees who dedicated their careers to public service.
Key Features of the Restored Pension Policy
According to the official notification, the government clarified several important aspects of the new pension framework:
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Lifetime entitlement: Widows and unmarried daughters will continue to receive pensions without any time limit.
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Division of pension in case of multiple marriages: If a deceased employee had multiple spouses, the pension will be distributed fairly among all eligible beneficiaries.
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Special provisions for disabled children: Children suffering from disabilities remain entitled to receive a family pension for life.
This step has been welcomed by employee unions and pensioners’ associations, who had long demanded the reversal of the earlier restrictions.
Background of Pension Policy Amendments
In September 2024, the Finance Ministry had introduced significant changes to the pension rules to address the mounting financial pressure on the provincial and federal governments. These amendments included:
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Limiting the general family pension to 10 years.
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Extending the Special Family Pension duration to 25 years.
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Introducing a clause for lifelong pension benefits for disabled dependents of deceased employees.
While these measures were aimed at reducing the government’s pension expenditure, they sparked widespread criticism from retired employees and their families. Many argued that limiting pensions left widows and daughters vulnerable after the fixed period ended.
A Win for Families and Employee Welfare
The latest decision by the Punjab government signals a strong commitment to employee welfare and social protection. By restoring lifetime pensions, the government has reassured families that their financial security will not be compromised after the death of the breadwinner.
This move is expected to benefit thousands of families across Punjab, particularly widows and unmarried daughters who rely heavily on these pensions as their primary source of income.
The restoration of lifetime family pensions also highlights the ongoing debate over pension reforms in Pakistan. While governments continue to seek ways to manage the rising pension bill, balancing fiscal responsibility with social welfare remains a critical challenge.
For now, the Punjab government’s decision is being seen as a positive and humane step, reaffirming its responsibility toward retired employees and their dependents.
