NADRA clarifies Pensioners’ payments will not be stopped over proof of life certificate

ISLAMABAD: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has clarified that pensioners whose Proof of Life certificates could not be issued by the authority in September will not have their pensions stopped on this basis.

NADRA Public Information Officer Syed Shabahat Ali said there was no decision to suspend pension payments merely because a pensioner’s Proof of Life certificate had not been issued by NADRA by September.

NADRA, in coordination with relevant institutions, has been facilitating the issuance of Proof of Life certificates for retired employees, particularly to provide greater convenience to elderly pensioners.

Responding to concerns about pensioners whose certificates could not be issued during September, Syed Shabahat Ali said the government had already decided that pensions would not be stopped solely because a Proof of Life certificate had not been issued through NADRA.

He further clarified that the decision applies to retired employees of the armed forces, federal and provincial government departments, as well as retirees of institutions that have not yet established arrangements with NADRA for the issuance of Proof of Life certificates.

According to the NADRA official, pension payments of retired employees from any institution will not be stopped on the basis of the non-issuance of a Proof of Life certificate by NADRA.

The clarification is expected to provide relief to elderly pensioners who were concerned that delays in obtaining the certificate could result in suspension of their pension payments.