The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was briefed on Wednesday regarding major changes in the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) procedures and a major fraud case.
Going forward, pensioners’ ages will be verified using their CNIC data instead of matriculation certificates. Moreover, a pension increase will take effect from May 1.
Chaired by Junaid Akbar, the PAC meeting heard from audit officials that EOBI had disbursed Rs2.79 billion to 5,131 ineligible or fictitious pensioners. Discrepancies were found in age verification, where mismatches between CNICs and educational documents allowed underage individuals—below the eligibility threshold of 60 for men and 55 for women—to unlawfully receive pensions.
The audit revealed deliberate manipulation of age records, resulting in substantial financial loss. EOBI officials confirmed that only businesses with ten or more employees are mandated to register, and age verification is now handled through CNICs with support from NADRA.
Chairman Akbar underscored the need for a standardized verification mechanism and instructed the Ministry to complete a detailed inquiry within a month.
