ISLAMABAD: Pensioners are required to undergo biometric verification twice in a year in order to continue withdrawal of pension amount.
The Finance Division on Friday issued SRO dated January 28, 2021 to notify amendments in the Federal Treasury Rules.
As per the amendments, a pensioner drawing pension shall be bound to undergo biometric verification on National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) system from any branch of a bank maintaining his pension account, every year in the months of March and October or provide a life certificate signed by a person authorized, if he is unable to undergo biometric verification due to incapacitation by bodily illness, infirmity or if his fingerprints do not exist due to old age or a genetic condition.
Authorities shall obtain declaration yearly from pensioners whose pension is terminable by their marriage or re-marriage and shall be attached to the bills for pension paid for September, however, this requirement shall be dispensed with after attaining by the pensioner the age of sixty years.
The disbursing officer must take special precautions to prevent imposition and must, at least once a year, receive proof of life or proof of continued existence of the pensioner, through NADRA’s biometric verification at any branch of a bank maintaining his pension account, which shall be conclusive proof of the continued existence of the pensioner.
“Any pensioner who is incapacitated by bodily illness or infirmity from so going to any branch of a bank for biometric verification or whose finger prints no longer exist due to old age or infirmity or a genetic condition, that pensioner shall give written request for exemption and for that pensioner, the disbursing officer shall allow proof of life through life certificate as conclusive proof of his continued existence.”
The disbursing officer shall be responsible for any payment wrongly made and in all cases of doubt, he must consult the Accountant General.
“If a pensioner drawing pension fails to submit a life certificate or fails to undergo NADRA’s biometric verification during the months of March and October or he does not draw his pension for consecutive six months, his account shall become dormant.”
