The Government of Pakistan is preparing to roll out a large-scale digital reform aimed at modernizing pension verification through an app-based “Proof of Life” system for federal and provincial retirees.

According to official sources, the State Bank of Pakistan has been directed to issue instructions to all commercial banks to ensure full integration with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) systems.

Under the new framework, nearly 1.7 million pensioners will be verified digitally using biometric authentication and facial recognition technology. Eligibility checks will be carried out through NADRA’s Proof of Life Certificate (POLC) and Family Registration Certificate (FRC) systems before any pension payments are released.

Banks nationwide will be required to connect their systems with NADRA’s API platform “Nishan Pakistan” as well as the e-Sahulat network, enabling real-time verification of pensioners at the time of payment processing.

The initiative aligns with earlier policy directives issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. While several components have already been implemented, full integration with the banking sector is still in progress.

Once operational, the system is expected to eliminate manual verification processes and ensure pensions are disbursed only to verified and eligible individuals.

Sources further stated that approval has been sought from the Finance Division for a revised financial structure, under which NADRA will waive certain charges related to the Proof of Life mechanism by merging POLC and FRC services into a more cost-efficient framework.

Officials say the reform will significantly improve transparency, reduce administrative delays, and modernize Pakistan’s pension disbursement system through end-to-end digital verification.