ISLAMABAD: Pensioners in Pakistan have received a major relief as the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has announced that eligible retired employees will now be able to obtain their Proof-of-Life certificate free of charge.
According to local news channel report, the new facility is aimed at making the pension verification process easier, particularly for elderly pensioners and those with limited mobility.
Under the new arrangement, eligible pensioners will also be able to complete their life verification from home through the Pak ID mobile application, without having to visit a NADRA office.
Pensioners who are unable to use the application themselves can also avail themselves of the facility through a family member, subject to the required identity verification.
The free Proof-of-Life certificate will additionally be available through more than 5,000 e-Sahulat franchises, over 988 NADRA centres and more than 500 Union Councils across the country.
NADRA will also provide mobile services for elderly, bedridden and mobility-impaired individuals, enabling them to complete the verification process without the difficulties associated with travelling to a registration centre.
The initiative is expected to reduce the burden on pensioners by making the mandatory life verification process free, more accessible and, in many cases, possible from home.
Pensioners Get Big Relief: NADRA Explains How to Complete Proof of Life
Earlier, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has clarified that banks have no role in the issuance or verification of Proof of Life certificates for pensioners.
According to NADRA, pensioners and eligible beneficiaries can deal directly with their respective pension-providing institutions. Pensioners can also submit their requests directly to the relevant institution through the mobile application.
The authority clarified that the Proof of Life certificate process is linked to the pension-providing institution, not the bank. Once completed, the certificate should be submitted directly to the concerned pension-providing institution.
NADRA advised pensioners that they do not need to visit a bank to complete or update their Proof of Life certificate.
The authority further said citizens can obtain guidance about identity-related information and services through NADRA’s official website. For assistance, they can also contact the NADRA helpline at 1777.
NADRA also highlighted a common issue involving Proof of Life certificate data not appearing on the PakID mobile application. In such cases, pensioners should contact their pension-providing institution and ask it to verify why their details are not included in the pensioner record registered with NADRA.
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