Pakistan has launch a digital Proof of Life Certificate system for pensioners, ending routine bank and office visits for pension verification. New system aims to make pension verification easier, faster and more accessible for millions of pensioners across country.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has welcome launch and call digital pension verification a major step to support elderly citizens, women, military and civilian pensioners and persons with disabilities.
Digital Proof of Life Certificate for Pensioners
National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has launch a digital Proof of Life Certificate (PoLC) service under directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence, Controller General of Accounts (CGA) and Military Accountant General (MAG) are part of initiative.
Proof of Life Certificate confirms that a pensioner is alive and remains eligible for pension payment.
Under previous system, pensioners often had to visit banks or government offices for periodic verification. Fingerprint issues and travel problems could also cause pension delays.
New digital system aims to remove these problems by allowing pensioners to complete verification from home or through nearby service points.
Proof of Life Certificate Available Free
NADRA has made Proof of Life Certificate free for pensioners. Multiple channels are now available across Pakistan.
Pensioners can use:
- PakID mobile app
- NADRA Registration Centres
- Union Councils
- e-Sahulat franchises
- Mobile registration vans
- Biker services
- ManPack registration services
PakID mobile app offers a home-based option for eligible pensioners. An immediate family member can also obtain certificate through their own PakID account after completing required identity verification.
For pensioners who need assisted service, PoLC is available at more than 5,000 e-Sahulat franchises. More than 988 NADRA Registration Centres and 500 Union Councils also provide certificate service.
NADRA says pensioners receive preferential service at listed centres without waiting in regular queue.
Mobile registration vans, biker services and ManPack registration services can help pensioners who cannot reach a service point because of limited mobility or access.
No More Routine Bank Visits
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said repeated bank visits created problems for pensioners, especially when fingerprint verification failed.
He said pensioners could face pension stoppage and delays after verification problems. Under new system, NADRA will issue digital certificate and transfer information automatically to CGA office.
As a result, pensioners will not need to visit a bank or office for routine proof-of-life verification.
NADRA National Pensioners Register
NADRA has also establish a National Pensioners Register as part of pension reform.
First phase includes pensioners managed by CGA and MAG. Register will provide a digital reference for identity and life-status verification.
Authorised banks can also check proof-of-life status through National Pensioners Register. This creates a digital channel for pension payment and reduces paper-based verification.
Death and Pension Record Update
New system also connects pension records with NADRA data.
NADRA will send daily digital information to concerned pension controllers when death of a primary or secondary pensioner is reported through Death Notification Tool by a health facility or recorded through Civil Registration Management System (CRMS).
Changes related to secondary or family pensioners can also reach pension controllers through NADRA records. Such changes can include age and marital status.
Final decision about continuation, change or end of pension will remain with concerned pension authority under applicable rules.
System to Expand to More Pensioners
NADRA plans to expand National Pensioners Register in next phase.
Expansion may include pensioners from other federal and provincial government organisations, public-sector bodies and private institutions after required agreements and institutional arrangements.
Expansion can help create one connected digital system for pension verification across more organisations.
PM Shehbaz Sharif Praises Digital Pension System
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praise authorities for introducing a people-focused pension verification system.
At launch ceremony in Islamabad, PM said biometric and facial verification can provide service to millions of pensioners through modern digital technology and app.
He also said initiative can help elderly and physically challenged citizens who face difficulty travelling to banks and offices.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb also praise NADRA for helping launch digital verification and describe initiative as part of Pakistan’s wider digital transformation.
Benefits of Digital Pension Verification
New Proof of Life Certificate system can provide several benefits for pensioners and government departments:
- Free Proof of Life Certificate
- Home-based verification through PakID
- No routine bank visit
- Less paperwork
- Digital pension verification
- Faster record update
- Better pension record management
- Bank access to verified status
- Support for elderly pensioners
- Support for persons with disabilities
- More access points across Pakistan
- Reduced risk of duplicate or fraudulent claims
Digital system also allows government departments and banks to work with updated pension information.
Digital Reform for Pension Services
Pakistan is moving toward digital delivery of public services, including identity, tax, payment and welfare services. Digital Proof of Life Certificate adds pension verification to this process.
By connecting NADRA records, pension controllers and authorised banks, new system can reduce dependence on physical documents and repeated visits.
For pensioners, main change is simple: routine proof-of-life verification can now happen through digital channels instead of repeated visits to banks or offices.
With free service, PakID access and thousands of service points, NADRA aims to make pension verification easier for citizens across Pakistan.
National Pensioners Register can also support future expansion and help government maintain verified pension records.
Overall, digital Proof of Life Certificate marks a major change in Pakistan’s pension verification process. Millions of civilian and military pensioners can benefit from a system designed to reduce travel, paperwork, fingerprint-related problems and pension payment delays.
