Dozens of veterans and government retirees on Thursday protested the delay in pension payments.

Protesters said despite the promises of the government it has been one year that they have not been paid and now they are facing economic challenges.

“Pensioners are faced with poverty, some of them need to beg,” said Wali Mohammad, a retired employee.

Retirees accused the government of negligence.

“Pensions are our fundamental right but still they do not pay us,” said Abdul Jalil, a retired employee.

Meanwhile, officials of the Finance Ministry said plans for paying pensions to retirees has been finalized and will start soon.

“We sent plans for retirees’ pensions to the cabinet, and they sent that plan to an administrative commission, we hope they will finalize it soon -- when they resend it to us with permission we will start paying,” said Ahmad Wali Haqmal, a spokesman for the Ministry of Finance.

“The Islamic Emirate, as Afghanistan's current government, has an obligation to pay the pensions of retirees,” said Sabeer Basheri, an economist.