Quick answer: Pakistan’s revised federal pension procedure says pensioners should complete Proof of Life Certificate (POLC) verification through NADRA—not through a bank’s ordinary biometric process. Use the PakID mobile app or an authorized NADRA channel, and complete verification at least once every 180 days. The old fixed March/September schedule has been abolished. [1]
Scope note: The Finance Division SOP dated September 7, 2026 specifically governs federal government pensioners covered by the Federal Government Receipt and Payment Rules, 2025. NADRA’s official PakID tutorial says the POLC service is available to pensioners of federal and provincial institutions and the Armed Forces, but payment administration can differ by pension controller. [1][3]
PakID Proof of Life: step-by-step
- Install or update NADRA’s official PakID app. Use Google Play for Android or the Apple App Store for iPhone.
- Create a PakID account or sign in to your existing account.
- Open the Proof of Life service.
- Select Myself if you are the pensioner. If an eligible family member is helping, select My Blood Relatives.
- Confirm the pensioner’s details, then follow the prompt to verify the applicant’s face liveness.
- Complete the requested facial and fingerprint verification. NADRA says facial recognition can be used where fingerprints are faded.
- Select Apply to save and submit the request.
- Open ID Wallet → My Documents → POLC to access the issued Proof of Life Certificate.
These menu names and steps come from NADRA’s official walkthrough. NADRA also says a spouse, son, daughter, parent, sister or brother can submit the request when the pensioner cannot operate the app. Once issued, the certificate is sent automatically to the relevant pension controller. [3]
What changed under the September 2026 SOP?
| Issue | New federal procedure |
|---|---|
| Where to verify | PakID or an authorized NADRA channel |
| Verification frequency | At least once every 180 days |
| Fixed months | March/September requirement abolished |
| Bank’s ordinary role | Disbursement agency, not POLC collector or validator |
| Paper “Disburser’s Half” | Abolished for federal pensions under the SOP |
| No valid signal for six months | CGA/MAG may put the record into temporary suspense |
| Restoration | A valid Digital Life Signal restores active status and releases accrued arrears |
The Finance Division says the NADRA Digital Life Signal now goes directly to the Controller General of Accounts or Military Accountant General. Banks should not collect physical life certificates in their ordinary banking capacity or impose debit restrictions because a pensioner did not submit proof of life to the bank. [1] Dawn independently reported the same revised responsibilities after reviewing the notification. [4]
If you cannot use the PakID app
You can complete NADRA verification through an authorized channel listed in the SOP:
- NADRA Registration Center
- NADRA Mobile Unit
- e-Sahulat franchise
- A bank branch only when it is operating as an authorized NADRA POLC center
For a pensioner with no digital access, extreme advanced age or a debilitating medical condition, the fallback route is a designated District Accounts Office or Pension Facilitation Center under CGA/MAG. The office can upload Form 10 (Life Certificate) or, where relevant, Form 12 (marital-status declaration). The SOP says commercial banks must not directly accept or process those forms. [1]
What to do if the pension account was marked dormant
For accounts marked dormant before August 22, 2026, the revised SOP provides two activation routes: NADRA verification through an authorized branch conduit, or confirmation of pension credit from CGA/MAG from September 2026 onward. For federal pension accounts after August 22, the SOP says banks should not apply dormancy for pension-disbursement purposes. [1]
Important distinction: “Suspense” is not the same as bank dormancy. Under the SOP, CGA/MAG can temporarily pause pension processing if no valid Digital Life Signal is received for six consecutive months. A successful verification should restore the record automatically and release accrued arrears. [1]
Quick checklist for pensioners and families
- Use only the official NADRA PakID information page and official app-store listings.
- Verify before the 180-day interval expires; do not wait for a fixed March or September window.
- After submission, check ID Wallet → My Documents → POLC.
- If app verification is not possible, use an authorized NADRA channel.
- For medical, age or no-access exceptions, contact the relevant District Accounts Office or Pension Facilitation Center—not an ordinary bank counter—for the manual fallback.
- Family pensioners should confirm whether Form 12 is required for their case.
- Report payment discrepancies to both the relevant Accounts Office and the bank.
Frequently asked questions
Do pensioners still need to visit a bank for proof of life?
Not for the standard federal POLC process. Verification should happen through PakID or an authorized NADRA channel. A bank branch may participate only when it is acting as a designated NADRA POLC center. [1]
How often is digital proof of life required?
At least once every six months, defined in the SOP as 180 days. Verification can occur at any point within that interval. [1]
Can a family member submit the PakID request?
Yes. NADRA’s official tutorial says an eligible blood relative can help when the pensioner cannot use the app. The listed relations are spouse, son, daughter, parents, sister or brother. [3]
What if fingerprint verification fails?
NADRA says facial recognition can be used when fingerprints are faded. If the app still cannot be used, visit a NADRA Registration Center or e-Sahulat franchise. [3]
Does this guide apply to every pension scheme in Pakistan?
The September 7 Finance Division SOP specifically describes federal government pensions under the 2025 federal receipt and payment rules. NADRA makes the POLC service available more broadly, but provincial or institution-specific payment procedures should be confirmed with the relevant pension controller. [1][3]