The federal government of Pakistan has unveiled a strategic initiative aimed at modernising pension disbursement for overseas retirees, introducing digital verification mechanisms, improved data integration, and streamlined coordination between government departments. The reforms are designed to address longstanding delays, verification challenges, and record inconsistencies that have historically affected Pakistani pensioners living abroad.
The Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Controller General of Accounts and the Accountant General Pakistan Revenues (AGPR), is leading the effort to digitalise pension verification and processing. Central to this initiative is the development of a dedicated digital platform under the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), which allows overseas pensioners to complete biometric and facial recognition verification remotely. This platform eliminates the need for pensioners to physically return to Pakistan to provide proof-of-life certificates, enabling secure, online authentication from anywhere in the world. Officials indicate that the platform is in the final stages of development and is expected to be launched imminently.
In addition to digital verification, the Finance Division is strengthening pension and General Provident Fund (GPF) management by improving integration between autonomous bodies and AGPR systems. Civil servants employed in autonomous institutions often follow separate contribution and payment mechanisms, resulting in delayed or incomplete pension settlements. The enhanced coordination aims to ensure more accurate and timely processing of pension and GPF contributions, addressing gaps that have historically affected retirees both domestically and abroad.
A unified tracking system is also being developed to maintain comprehensive records of pension histories, particularly for employees transitioning between federal departments and autonomous organisations. The platform is expected to support seamless transfers and provide transparency in pension administration.
Further reforms focus on easing pension disbursement for employees of defunct or merged organisations. While most pensioners currently receive payments without major disruption, the government has recognised the need to streamline end-of-service benefits, leave encashment, and GPF withdrawals to protect retirees nearing superannuation. These measures are intended to safeguard financial security and prevent administrative delays.
The Ministry of Finance has also instructed the State Bank of Pakistan to collaborate with commercial banks to ensure their systems are compatible with the upcoming digital verification platform. This integration is expected to facilitate uninterrupted pension payments, reduce operational friction, and improve overall service delivery to overseas beneficiaries.
These reforms reflect a broader government commitment to modernising public-sector pension management and enhancing the digital capabilities of Pakistan’s financial administration. By leveraging technology and inter-agency coordination, the initiative promises to make pension disbursement more efficient, transparent, and secure for all overseas retirees, aligning Pakistan’s pension system with global standards.
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