Third-party review forms part of a broader reform programme to modernise EOBI, expand pension coverage and strengthen contribution recovery.
ISLAMABAD: The Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) is planning to undertake a comprehensive cleansing of its pensioners’ and contributors’ database through a third-party review as part of a wider reform programme aimed at improving record accuracy, strengthening contribution recovery and modernising the country’s social security system.
According to official documents, the proposed database cleansing exercise is intended to enhance the quality of registration records, improve transparency and ensure the efficient management of pensioners’ and contributors’ information.
The initiative forms part of EOBI’s broader strategy to improve the efficiency, sustainability and governance of Pakistan’s old-age benefits scheme.
Wider pension coverage under consideration
As part of its reform agenda, EOBI is considering expanding the scope of its pension scheme to include self-employed individuals and overseas Pakistanis, allowing them to participate in the institution’s old-age benefits programme.
The institution has also proposed extending coverage to workers employed in the informal sector, employees of the banking industry, and contractual and daily wage workers serving in statutory bodies.
Officials believe the proposed expansion would enable a significantly larger segment of the workforce to benefit from old-age pensions and related social security programmes.
Digital transformation initiative
EOBI is also pursuing a comprehensive digital transformation to improve service delivery and facilitate employers and contributors.
Among the proposed measures are enhanced online payment mechanisms and improved digital channels to simplify contribution payments and strengthen compliance.
The institution also plans to implement the EOBI Transformation Initiative (ETI), a modernisation programme designed to improve operational efficiency, transparency and public service delivery.
The proposed initiative includes:
• Self-registration facilities for employers and contributors;
• Dedicated call centres for customer support;
• Mobile applications for improved accessibility;
• Real-time updating of records; and
• Automation of contribution collection and pension disbursement.
Focus on transparency and compliance
Officials said the proposed reforms are intended to strengthen compliance, improve public facilitation and modernise EOBI’s administrative processes through greater use of digital technology.
The planned third-party database review is also expected to help identify discrepancies in pensioners’ and contributors’ records, improve data integrity and enhance the recovery of outstanding contributions.
The reforms support EOBI’s long-term objective of expanding social protection coverage while ensuring more efficient, transparent and sustainable delivery of pension benefits to eligible workers across Pakistan.