THE pensioners of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) are facing severe ordeal since the airline’s privatisation. As per government rules, pensioners aged over 70 years must furnish proof-of-life verification every six months. The procedure invariably requires a visit to their banks for biometrics. However, out of more than 30 commercial banks, the paymaster, PIA Holding Company, has authorised only three to carry out biometric verification.
Account holders of other banks are required to get a paper certificate signed and stamped by their bank managers who decline to certify unless authorised by the regulator, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).Moreover, many elderly pensioners are either bed-ridden, sick or too weak to visit the banks. Retirees living abroad are required to get their certificates notarised and then certified by the relevant Pakistan embassy or consulate. Recently, the government announced the introduction of PakID app of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) that will enable retired government employees living anywhere in the world to have proof-oflife verification through facial recognition.
PIA pensioners should be facilitated, too.
Asiffah Karachi