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Afghanistan Earthquake Tragedy: Hearts Heavy as Region Mourns

A devastating earthquake has shaken eastern Afghanistan, leaving our neighboring nation in profound grief and desperate need of rescue operations. The catastrophic tremors have claimed at least 1,400 precious lives and left over 3,000 people injured across the affected regions. Families have been torn apart, communities destroyed, and countless survivors remain trapped beneath the rubble, fighting for their lives as rescue teams race against time. International Response In response to this humanitarian crisis, the United Arab Emirates has mobilized comprehensive relief efforts under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. UAE Search and Rescue teams, alongside units from the Joint Operations Command, have been deployed to coordinate with local Afghan authorities. The UAE mission includes conducting crucial field assessments to determine proper response strategies, providing logistical support to affected areas, and executing rescue operations to ext...

The Significance of the Government's Voluntary Pension Scheme: Meeting IMF Conditions for Financial Stability




The government of Pakistan has announced its plans to introduce a voluntary pension scheme in order to fulfill another condition set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This new pension scheme is aimed at providing a steady income to government employees after retirement, unlike the existing Provident Fund or gratuity facilities offered in the private sector .


According to sources within the government, the introduction of the voluntary pension scheme is part of an effort to alleviate the burden of huge government pensions and streamline the pension system . The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has developed a comprehensive strategy for new government recruits, ensuring that they will receive the voluntary pension instead of the traditional government pension scheme.


The voluntary pension scheme is designed to offer a constant and steady income to government employees upon retirement. It also provides the benefit of maintaining pension benefits even in the event of a job change, ensuring continuous financial support post-retirement. The SECP has proposed implementing this pension scheme in both the public and private sectors to ensure financial security for employees during their retirement years 

Currently, there are 43 pension funds being set up across the country, with approximately Rs61 billion invested The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government took the initiative to invest in pension funds two years ago, with 21 pension funds catering to its employees. Following suit, the Punjab government is also planning to initiate a voluntary pension scheme for its employees, indicating a broader adoption of the pension reform initiative across various provincial governments


The decision to introduce the voluntary pension scheme is in line with the government's efforts to address concerns raised by the IMF regarding inflated pension costs. By implementing this scheme, the government aims to foster fiscal sustainability and ensure long-term financial stability in the country 

In conclusion, the government's plan to introduce a voluntary pension scheme is a significant step towards fulfilling another IMF condition. This scheme will provide a reliable source of income for government employees after retirement and streamline the pension system. By offering continuous financial support and ensuring pension benefits even in the event of a job change, this scheme aims to provide financial security to employees during their retirement years. The government's efforts to address concerns raised by the IMF regarding inflated pension costs demonstrate its commitment to fostering fiscal sustainability and long-term financial stability in the country 

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