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Reports circulating on social media claiming that Pakistan has increased the retirement age of government employees from 60 to 63 years are false. Official sources have categorically denied the claims, confirming that no such decision or notification has been issued by the federal government.
A viral document attributed to the Establishment Division suggested that all federal government employees would receive a three-year extension in service, effective from January 1, 2026. The document quickly gained traction online, leading to confusion among government servants and the general public.
However, authorities have rejected the notification, calling it fake, baseless, and misleading. Officials confirmed that neither the Establishment Division nor the Finance Division has approved any proposal to increase the retirement age.
According to official sources, the circulating paper contains several clear signs of forgery. It carries a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa logo, uses the unusual title “Ministry of Pakistan Islamabad”, and lists a non-existent designation with a forged signature. Reference numbers mentioned in the document were also found to be fabricated, with no record available in government files.
An official stated, “No notification regarding an increase in the retirement age has been issued or approved. The document circulating on social media is entirely fake.”
Rumors about extending the retirement age of government employees have surfaced multiple times in recent years, often during periods of economic stress or administrative reforms. In the past as well, similar fake notifications were circulated, only to be later denied by authorities.
Currently, the official retirement age for federal government employees remains 60 years, and any change would require cabinet approval and publication in the official Gazette.
Relevant authorities have urged government employees and citizens to avoid believing unverified social media posts and to rely only on official notifications and Gazette publications for policy-related information.
