The federal government has introduced a new digital system for pension payments and proof-of-life verification for retired government employees, replacing the previous paper-based procedure.
Following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives, the Ministry of Finance has issued revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for pension payments and verification.
Under the new system, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) will link pensioners’ data with the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) and the Military Accountant General. Digital proof-of-life signals will be transmitted directly from NADRA to the relevant departments.
Pensioners will be able to complete their verification through the Pak-ID mobile application, while biometric verification and proof-of-life certification through private banks will no longer be required.
The revised procedure applies to retired federal government employees, including pensioners living in Pakistan and those residing abroad who receive their pensions in the country.
Private banks will now be limited to pension disbursement, with pension payments transferred directly into designated bank accounts through the electronic payment system.
The government has also abolished the paper-based pension payment system and introduced alternative verification options through NADRA centers, mobile units, facilitation franchises, and district offices.
Forms 10, 11, and 12 will be used when manual verification is required, while a separate form has been introduced for pensioners residing abroad.
Under the new procedure, pension accounts will not be declared inactive solely based on the nature of the pension. However, if no digital proof-of-life signal is received for six months, pension payments will be temporarily suspended.
Bank branches will serve as NADRA verification centers under the revised system, providing pensioners with additional options for completing the verification process.
