Latest news with #EOBI
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
EOBI registering mine workers
The Senate was informed on Friday that the registration of the mine workers with the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) being handled through provincial set-ups, while a committee had been formed register domestic workers across the country. Speaking on behalf of the Human Resource Development Ministry during the Question Hour, Minister of State for Law Aqeel Malik said that currently more than 11.44 million workers were registered with the EOBI, adding that all of them had been issued the registration cards. "Although the EOBI website does not update registration in real-time, steps are being taken to ensure automatic online data integration," Malik said. "The number of insured workers has since risen to approximately 11.6 million," he added. In reply to a question from Ssenator Danesh Kumar, the minister of state said that details regarding insurance entitlements, affiliated companies, hospital access, and posthumous benefits would be furnished in writing. Malik stated that a 15% increase in EOBI pensions had been approved. To another question from Shahadat Awan, he clarified that the registration of mine workers was being handled through provincial setups. He also said that a special committee constituted on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was actively working to register domestic workers across the country. Senator Masroor Ahsan raised the query regarding EOBI-owned properties. Malik replied that it currently had 49 buildings — 24 in Punjab, 14 in Sindh, five in Islamabad, four in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and two in Balochistan. He added that 40 buildings were rented spaces for regional and field offices. However, Ahsan pointed out that the data did not include plots owned by the EOBI. He suggested that the issue should be referred to a relevant Senate committee. Malik said that details regarding EOBI plots would also be submitted shortly. Responding to Zameer Ghumro's question about EOBI's devolution to the provinces, the minister of state told the house that the matter would be placed before the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and resolved in accordance with constitutional provisions. Responding to several other queries, the minister of state said that 37 appointments were made in Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis through an 'Office Memorandum' issued by the Finance Division on September 6, 2024. Senator Abdul Shakoor Khan voiced concerns over the limited representation from Balochistan, Senator Danesh Kumar criticised the absence of quotas reserved for women and persons with disabilities. Malik said that recruitment was made on open merit and local basis that included minority quotas. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said that disadvantaged regions-such as Balochistan, interior Sindh, southern Punjab, and parts of K-P were being prioritised.
Express Tribune
17-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt greenlights 15% boost in EOBI payouts
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a review meeting on Hajj arrangements for the upcoming year in Islamabad on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Photo courtesy: Radio Pakistan Listen to article The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved 15% increase in pensions provided by the Employees' Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), effective from January 1, 2025, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development. This increase will be funded from the institution's own resources. The meeting of the federal cabinet was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The prime minister directed the formation of a cabinet committee to introduce institutional reforms in EOBI. The committee will also deliberate on proposals to extend old-age benefits to the informal labor sector, including domestic workers, agricultural laborers, and other marginalized employment categories that have been previously overlooked. The reforms aim to ensure that workers in these neglected sectors receive their due rights. The cabinet also approved the initiation of necessary legal procedures regarding the draft of the Sea Carriage Shipping Documents Bill, 2025, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. On the recommendation of the Ministry of National Health Services, the cabinet approved a five-year extension of exemption on the import of anti-cancer, cardiac, and life-saving drugs used in hospitals and related healthcare institutions. The medicines are considered vital for saving human lives, and the exemption is intended to ensure their prompt availability. These drugs will be available only in hospitals and authorized institutions, with a ban on open market sales. Import of these medicines will require prior approval from the relevant licensing authority. The cabinet also endorsed the decisions made in the meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases held on July 2, 2025, and July 3, 2025. Earlier addressing the cabinet, the prime minister commended the efforts of all provincial governments, the federal administration, as well as authorities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) for making the best possible arrangements during Muharram. He also expressed gratitude to the law enforcement agencies and all stakeholders for maintaining law and order during the religious observances. The prime minister also spoke about disaster preparedness amid the ongoing monsoon season. He said he had chaired a high-level meeting with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) to ensure best arrangements. He commended the efforts of NDMA for making arrangements to cope with heavy rains in different parts of the country. He expressed sorrow over the loss of lives due to heavy rainfall in various parts of the country, specifically the tragic incident in Swat. He said it was an unfortunate incident and emphasized the need to learn lessons from it and implement measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. On the economic front, PM Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the recent positive trends in macroeconomic indicators. He reiterated his government's focus on performance and service delivery, announcing that the performance of ministries would be evaluated every two months. "This message I want to make loud and clearit is all about delivery and service to the nation," the prime minister stressed. He added that ministries performing well will be acknowledged and appreciated, while those falling short will be held accountable and asked to explain. During the meeting, he also praised Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal for his ministry's effective utilization of development funds, noting that the development spending had reached over Rs 1 trillion under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).
Business Recorder
16-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Cabinet approves 15pc hike in EOBI pensions
ISLAMABAD: In a bold attempt to jolt federal ministries out of complacency, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced that performance evaluations will now be held after every two months, guided by newly introduced key performance indicators (KPIs). The move, aimed at sharpening accountability and turbo-charging service delivery, marks a renewed push by the government to shake off inertia in Islamabad's corridors of power. Chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet, PM Sharif was emphatic: 'This message I want to make loud and clear – it is all about delivery and service to the nation.' Ministries exceeding expectations will be rewarded, while those falling behind could face consequences, he warned. The prime minister singled out the Ministry of Planning and Development for praise, highlighting its efficient use of development funds. Spending under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) has now crossed the Rs1 trillion mark – a milestone PM Sharif credited to Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal's stewardship. In a nod to market confidence, PM Sharif welcomed the stock market's record-breaking performance this week, calling it a positive signal of macroeconomic recovery and investor trust. He insisted the uptick was the result of coordinated government efforts to stabilise the economy. Among the cabinet's key decisions was a 15 percent increase in pensions under the Employees' Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), effective from 1 January 2025. The raise, which will be funded internally by EOBI, was proposed by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development. PM Sharif also ordered the formation of a cabinet committee to spearhead long-overdue institutional reforms in EOBI. The committee will explore extending pension coverage to Pakistan's vast informal workforce – including domestic workers, farm labourers, and other marginalised groups – in what could become a landmark shift in social security policy. In the maritime sector, the cabinet approved legal proceedings to advance the Sea Carriage Shipping Documents Bill, 2025, as part of efforts to modernise trade documentation. Meanwhile, a five-year extension was granted on the exemption of import duties for life-saving medicines – including anti-cancer and cardiac drugs – following a proposal from the Ministry of National Health Services. These medicines will continue to be restricted to hospitals and authorised institutions, with open-market sales remaining banned. Elsewhere, the cabinet ratified a series of legislative decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on July 2 and 3. On a sombre note, the prime minister expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives in the ongoing monsoon season, particularly the deadly incident in Swat. Calling it an unfortunate incident, he stressed the need for more robust disaster preparedness and response. He said the federal government, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and provincial bodies (PDMAs), is working to strengthen emergency response systems across the country. He commended the NDMA, which is headed by a serving three-star military general, for its proactive role in disaster management. Finally, the prime minister lauded law enforcement and local administrations across the provinces, as well as in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, for ensuring peace and order during Muharram. Their coordinated efforts, he added, helped maintain national harmony during a critical time. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
16-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Cabinet okays 15% hike in EOBI pensions
Listen to article Federal cabinet has approved a 15% increase in pensions provided by the Employees' Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), effective from January 1, 2025, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development. The pension increase will be funded through the institution's own resources, ensuring no additional burden on the national budget. The decision was made during a federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday. The meeting focused on various socio-economic reforms, including pension schemes and healthcare benefits. براہِ راست: وزیرِاعظم محمد شہباز شریف کا وفاقی کابینہ کے اجلاس سے خطاب — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 16, 2025 The prime minister directed the formation of a cabinet committee to implement institutional reforms in the EOBI. The committee will also consider proposals to extend old-age benefits to informal workers, including domestic staff, agricultural labourers, and other marginalised workers who have historically been excluded from such schemes. These reforms aim to ensure that workers in these neglected sectors receive their due rights. Additionally, the cabinet approved the initiation of legal procedures for the Sea Carriage Shipping Documents Bill, 2025, as recommended by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. The cabinet also agreed to extend the exemption on the import of anti-cancer, cardiac, and life-saving drugs for five more years. This extension, proposed by the Ministry of National Health Services, aims to ensure that these critical medicines remain available in hospitals and authorised institutions, though they will not be sold on the open market. The import of these medicines will now require prior approval from the relevant licensing authority. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs the Federal Cabinet Meeting — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 16, 2025 In his address, Prime Minister Shehbaz commended the efforts of provincial governments, the federal administration, and authorities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) for their arrangements during Muharram. He also praised law enforcement agencies for maintaining law and order during religious observances. The prime minister acknowledged the need for disaster preparedness, especially during the ongoing monsoon season. He reported on a high-level meeting with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) to strengthen arrangements for dealing with heavy rains. Read More: Hike in EOBI pensions from May 1 PM Shehbaz also expressed his condolences over the recent loss of lives due to rainfall in various parts of the country, particularly the tragic incident in Swat. He called it an 'unfortunate incident' and stressed the importance of implementing preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies in the future. On the economic front, the prime minister expressed satisfaction with recent positive trends in macroeconomic indicators, underlining his government's commitment to improving service delivery and holding ministries accountable for performance. He said, 'This message I want to make loud and clear – it is all about delivery and service to the nation.' He added that ministries performing well will be recognised, while those falling short will be asked to explain their failures. The prime minister also praised the Federal Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, for his ministry's efficient use of development funds, highlighting that the development spending had surpassed Rs1 trillion under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).
Business Recorder
12-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
EOBI gains global recognition at ILO conventions: minister
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, emphasized that social protection is not a barrier but a cornerstone for sustaining the IT industry's global reputation. He noted that the Employees' Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) has gained international recognition and has been commended at International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions in Geneva — underscoring its credibility and importance. The Minister made these remarks at a high-level seminar titled 'Ease of Doing Business for the IT Industry,' held at the Prime Minister's Office. The event was jointly organized by EOBI and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), and brought together key government officials and leaders from Pakistan's tech ecosystem. Among the attendees were Federal Minister for Information Technology & Telecommunication Shiza Fatima, Secretary OP&HRD Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Director General SIFC and his team, as well as representatives from the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA). In his opening remarks, Dr. Jawaid Ahmed Sheikh, Chairman EOBI, highlighted the institution's central role in providing pension benefits and long-term financial security to workers in cases of retirement, disability, or death. He reaffirmed EOBI's commitment to evolving alongside the dynamic needs of the IT sector. Sajjad Mustafa, Chairman of P@SHA, thanked EOBI for initiating this important dialogue and proposed the formation of a joint working group to collaboratively address challenges related to contribution recovery and compliance. Echoing this sentiment, Ali Hasani, Secretary General of P@SHA, welcomed the establishment of a dedicated help desk for the IT sector, viewing it as a model that could inform consistent policy implementation across other industries. A technical presentation by Muhammad Amin, Deputy Director General Operations at EOBI, provided an overview of the organization's comprehensive social protection framework—which includes support not only for retirement, but also in cases of disability and death, tailored for the needs of the modern workforce. Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunication Shaza Fatima stressed the need for digital transformation, responsive service delivery, and regulatory agility to keep pace with the fast-changing tech landscape. She endorsed the proposal for a joint working group, recognizing its potential to close the gap between policy and execution. The seminar concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening institutional collaboration and aligning policies to create an enabling business environment for IT companies—while upholding internationally recognized standards of worker protection in Pakistan. Certificates of appreciation were awarded to key IT sector employers in recognition of their contributions to EOBI. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
