Ex-Servicemen hold a rally in Mandi Bahauddin

Mandi Bahauddin(Sher Gondal) : Ex-Servicemen Friday held a rally in front of press club to protest against government for showing apathy to their demands of “one rank one pension” and “establishment of District Armed Services Board”. They were carrying banners inscribed with the demands. They raised slogans and showed their solidarity with their serving brethren in fight against terrorism. They said states who ignore welfare of their soldiers never win battles. They said successive governments did not pay attention to problems relating to their welfare and pension. They were forced to take to streets. They said in early nineties government stopped increase on commuted portion of their pension. Now they get increase on half pension. This is great injustice to pensioners, they reiterated. There is no soldier board in their district. Recently with the cooperation DCO Muzaffar Sial soldier board camp office has been established but this ad hoc arrangement was not the answer to their problem. They urged government and defense ministry to enforce “one rank one pension: and set up DASB to facilitate ex-soldiers and their widows in getting their pension and welfare problems solved.