Govt Makes Digital Verification Mandatory for Pension Payments

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Finance has introduced new pension rules under which pension payments will now be made exclusively through the digital pension system, according to a notification issued on Wednesday.

Under the new rules, pensioners will be required to complete digital verification through the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) every six months.

The verification can be completed through the NADRA Pak ID app or at authorised NADRA centres. The ministry has abolished the previous paper-based verification process.

Pensions will be transferred directly to pensioners’ bank accounts under the new system. The previous fixed verification schedule for March and September has also been discontinued, with verification now required every six months.

According to the notification, banks will no longer require pensioners to provide biometric verification or life certificates. Pension accounts will also not be marked dormant.

The ministry said pension accounts would remain active and pension payments would be transferred once the required verification is completed.

However, pension payments will be suspended if a pensioner fails to complete digital verification for six months. Payments will resume after the verification process is completed.