ISLAMABAD: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was informed on Wednesday that the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) will now use CNIC data, rather than matriculation certificates, to determine the age of pension beneficiaries. A pension increase for EOBI recipients will also take effect from May 1.
The announcement came during a PAC session chaired by Junaid Akbar, which reviewed audit reports of the Ministry for Overseas Pakistanis. Officials disclosed that EOBI had disbursed a staggering Rs2.79 billion to 5,131 ineligible or fake pensioners, many of whom received benefits through age manipulation.
Audit findings showed discrepancies in the records of over 5,000 out of approximately 800,000 pensioners. Pensions had been granted to individuals whose CNIC and matric certificates showed conflicting birthdates, including men under 60 and women under 55—below the legal retirement thresholds.
EOBI officials said the institution’s fund currently stands at Rs600 billion, and reiterated that all businesses with 10 or more employees are obligated to register with EOBI. Moving forward, age eligibility will be determined using NADRA’s CNIC records to avoid abuse.
The committee also took note of Rs2.47 billion in unpaid dues from 2,864 companies. EOBI has so far recovered Rs1.53 billion but cited legal hurdles in collecting the remaining amount. The PAC directed that full recovery be ensured within a month and ordered an investigation report on the pension fraud.
The EOBI, established in 1976, serves as Pakistan’s primary old-age pension scheme for private sector workers. It ensures post-retirement income security for registered employees, with both employers and employees contributing to the fund. The shift to NADRA-verified CNIC data will help tighten controls against fraud and streamline eligibility verification. Coupled with the pension increase from May 1, these changes aim to restore public trust in the system and improve the financial well-being of genuine pensioners, while holding institutions accountable for evading contributions.
