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ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (APP):The Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs on Thursday reviewed the challenges faced by pensioners, particularly delays in the disbursement of retirement benefits.
The Secretary of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs briefed the Committee on issues related to proof-of-life requirements, delayed payment of pension arrears, unexplained suspensions of pension payments, calculation errors, and the lack of a supportive attitude among officials handling pension cases.
The meeting was chaired by MNA Rana Iradat Sharif Khan.
The Committee was informed that the State Bank of Pakistan has confirmed that biometric proof-of-life verification is now being facilitated through Pakistani embassies abroad.
It was further apprised that NADRA has developed a mobile application featuring facial-recognition-based verification, enabling pensioners in remote areas and overseas to complete the process with greater ease.
A representative from Pakistan Railways (PR) briefed the Committee that PR is the only federal entity that finances pensions for its retired employees from its own resources. In contrast, pensions for employees of all other federal departments are paid by the Finance Division through the AGPR.
Pakistan Railways continues to face severe financial pressures due to rising pension and salary liabilities, low revenue generation, outdated infrastructure, high operating costs—particularly fuel and utilities—and an underdeveloped freight sector.
As a result, PR remains heavily dependent on Federal Government Grant-in-Aid to meet its financial shortfalls. Since FY 2013-14, the gap between receipts and expenditures has widened further due to low revenue growth and inadequate Grant-in-Aid allocations.
The Committee recommended that all railway employees who have completed their service should receive their pensions without obstacles and promptly.
After a detailed discussion, the Committee further directed the Ministry of Railways to present a concrete plan at the next meeting outlining measures to improve the existing pension process.