ISLAMABAD: A new biometric verification system has been introduced for federal pensioners, while pension payments will continue to be deposited directly into their bank accounts, according to the Ministry of Finance.
Under the new procedures, commercial banks will no longer be responsible for verifying pensioners’ biometric data. Instead, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) will digitally verify pensioners’ proof of life.
According to the ministry, NADRA will transmit pensioners’ digital life signals directly to the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) and the Military Accountant General. The new system ends reliance on commercial banks for pensioner verification, with banks continuing to serve only as payment agents.
Banks will generally not be permitted to collect or store pensioners’ biometric data. The previous paper-based pension verification system has also been discontinued, with pensioners required to complete proof-of-life verification digitally.
Pensioners will be able to verify their status through NADRA’s Pak ID mobile application. Verification will also be available through NADRA registration centers and mobile units. Bank branches and mobile applications may also provide verification services where they are authorized by NADRA.
The ministry said pension payments will be temporarily suspended if no digital life signal is received for six consecutive months. However, failure to complete verification for six months will not result in the pension account being classified as dormant. Pension accounts cannot be declared dormant solely because biometric verification has not been completed.
Alternative verification procedures will be available for pensioners who are unable to complete the digital verification process. Such pensioners may contact district accounts offices and pension facilitation centers for assistance.
Overseas pensioners will also have access to an alternative verification mechanism.
The new standard operating procedures (SOPs) apply to retired federal government employees and eligible family pensioners. The Ministry of Finance said the revised procedures are intended to make pension verification more transparent, convenient and digitally accessible.
