Islamabad: The federal government has given a major relief package for Christian pensioners and employees on the occasion of Christmas, deciding to release advance salaries and pensions for December 2025.
As per official sources, pensions and salaries for eligible Christian pensioners and employees will be paid on December 22. The Ministry of Finance has issued directives to the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Islamabad, to make necessary arrangements for the advance disbursement.
According to the notification the advance payment will apply to all eligible federal government employees belonging to the Christian community, as well as pensioners, enabling them to celebrate Christmas with greater ease.
The notification said that Christmas will be celebrated on 25-12-2025. It is there for requested that arrangements may kindly be made to disburse the salary and pension for the month of December 2025 to the government servants and pensioners belonging to the Christian community on 22-12-2025.
The move has been highly welcomed as a goodwill gesture aimed at facilitating the Christian community ahead of the festive occasion.
Earlier Sindh’s Minister for Local Government chaired a high-level steering committee meeting, where officials approved salary increases for contract employees and advanced plans for sustainable urban waste management.
The fifth steering committee meeting of the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board brought together top officials, including the Chairperson of the Steering Committee, Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Sukkur Mayor Barrister Arsalan Islam Sheikh, Hyderabad Mayor Kashif Shoro, and Mirpurkhas Mayor Abdul Rauf. Secretaries, additional commissioners, and board executives also participated, with some members joining via video link.
Budget Review and Committee Approvals
The meeting began with the approval of minutes from the fourth steering committee session, formally signed by all members. Progress on the revised budget instructions issued in previous meetings was also discussed, reflecting ongoing oversight and financial planning.
Minister Shah emphasized the need to establish technical and qualified positions for the modern General Tax System (GTS). He directed the formation of a subcommittee to draft a detailed proposal for discussion in the next session.
Sustainable Waste Management Initiatives
Officials debated plans to implement a self-sustaining system for sanitation services, where fees in residential and commercial areas would be assessed according to property size. Two to three pilot projects for fee collection were reviewed.
The committee also discussed initiatives to recycle waste at modern GTS and engineered landfill sites, reducing environmental pollution while earning carbon credits. Minister Shah instructed officials to incorporate Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab’s suggestions into a more comprehensive proposal for the next meeting.
