The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has announced that the Proof of Life Certificate (PoLC) will now be provided at no cost for pensioners and that access to the certificate has been significantly expanded across Pakistan. The change, which was officially communicated through NADRA’s social media on August 21, 2026, removes the previous fee structure for the service and makes the certificate available through multiple channels, including the PakID mobile app, e-Sahulat franchises, NADRA Registration Centers, Union Councils, and NADRA’s mobile service channels. The change is the most significant expansion of access to the certificate since it was first introduced, and the practical details of each channel are the parts that matter for pensioners who need to renew their certificate.

The Proof of Life Certificate is the official document that confirms a pensioner is alive, and the certificate is required by pension-paying institutions, including government departments, public sector enterprises, and several private organisations, before a pension payment can be released. The certificate is typically renewed every six months or every year, depending on the paying institution’s requirements, and the practical process for obtaining the certificate has historically been a friction point for pensioners, particularly elderly pensioners who have difficulty travelling to NADRA centres. The new free + multi-channel approach is designed to address that friction.

What the Proof of Life Certificate actually is

The Proof of Life Certificate (PoLC) is an official NADRA-issued document that confirms the holder is alive at the time of issuance. The certificate is required by pension-paying institutions to verify that the pension recipient is still eligible to receive payments, and the standard renewal cycle is six months or one year, depending on the institution’s policy. The certificate is different from a medical certificate or a fitness certificate, and the only authority that issues the PoLC is NADRA, which has the database infrastructure to confirm the identity and status of the person.

For pensioners, the practical purpose of the certificate is to keep their pension payments flowing without interruption. If a Proof of Life Certificate is not renewed within the required cycle, the pension-paying institution will typically suspend the pension until the certificate is provided, and the suspension can take several weeks or months to resolve. The new free + multi-channel approach is designed to make it easier for pensioners to keep their certificate current and avoid the suspension cycle.

Method 1: Through the PakID mobile app (the easiest option)

The PakID mobile app is the easiest way to obtain the Proof of Life Certificate, and the process can be completed from home. The PakID app is the official NADRA mobile application and is available for both Android and iOS devices, and pensioners who already have a PakID account can use the same account to apply for the PoLC.

For pensioners who can use PakID personally, the steps are as follows:

1. Open the PakID app and sign in to your existing account, or create a new account if you do not already have one.
2. Navigate to the section for pension or family services and select the Proof of Life Certificate option.
3. Verify your identity through the in-app biometric verification (fingerprint or facial recognition, depending on the device).
4. Confirm your personal details and submit the application.
5. The digital Proof of Life Certificate will be generated and made available in the app’s document vault.

The digital certificate is the official document and is accepted by all government and public sector pension-paying institutions. Pensioners can download the PDF, print it if required, or share it digitally with the pension-paying institution.

For pensioners who are unable to use PakID personally, an immediate family member can obtain the certificate on their behalf through the family member’s own PakID account. The family member will need to follow the standard identity verification process and provide the pensioner’s details, and the certificate will be generated and made available to the family member’s account, which can then be shared with the pensioner or the pension-paying institution. The specific family relationships that are eligible for this method are detailed in the in-app guidance.

Method 2: At e-Sahulat franchises

For pensioners who prefer an assisted service or who do not have a smartphone, the Proof of Life Certificate is available free of charge at more than 5,000 e-Sahulat franchises across Pakistan. e-Sahulat is the nationwide network of franchises operated in partnership with NADRA, and the franchises are typically located in commercial areas, near bus stops, and in smaller towns where a full NADRA Registration Centre may not be available.

The process at an e-Sahulat franchise is similar to the process at a NADRA centre. The pensioner visits the franchise, presents their original CNIC, completes the biometric verification (fingerprint), and the operator generates the Proof of Life Certificate. The certificate is typically available immediately or within a few minutes, and the franchise will provide a printed copy. The e-Sahulat channel is the most widely distributed option for pensioners who need to renew their certificate in person.

Method 3: At NADRA Registration Centers

The Proof of Life Certificate is available free of charge at more than 988 NADRA Registration Centers across Pakistan, and the certificate is provided on a preferential basis, which means pensioners do not have to wait in the regular queue. The Registration Centre option is the most suitable for pensioners who need additional support or who want to use the in-person channel but with the full NADRA infrastructure behind it.

The process at a NADRA Registration Centre is straightforward. The pensioner visits the centre, takes a token for the pensioner priority service, presents their original CNIC, completes the biometric verification, and the operator generates the certificate on the spot. The centre will provide a printed copy of the certificate, and the certificate is the official NADRA-issued document that is accepted by all pension-paying institutions.

Method 4: At Union Councils

The Proof of Life Certificate is also available at over 500 Union Councils across Pakistan, and the Union Council option is the most relevant for pensioners in rural areas where the nearest NADRA Registration Centre may be far away. The Union Council is the local government body, and the partnership with NADRA is part of the broader effort to extend NADRA services to the local level.

The process at a Union Council is similar to the process at an e-Sahulat franchise, with the pensioner presenting their CNIC and completing the biometric verification. The Union Council staff generate the certificate through the NADRA system, and the certificate is provided as a printed copy. The specific Union Councils that offer the service are listed on the NADRA website, and the pensioner can confirm the availability of the service before visiting.

Method 5: Mobile Registration Vans, Biker services, and ManPack

For pensioners who cannot conveniently reach any of the fixed service points, NADRA also offers the Proof of Life Certificate through its Mobile Registration Vans, biker services, and ManPack registration services. These are the mobile service channels operated by NADRA, and they are designed to reach pensioners with limited mobility or those who live in remote areas.

The Mobile Registration Vans travel to specific locations on a scheduled basis, and the schedule is published by NADRA. The biker services are designed for individual visits where the pensioner is unable to travel to a service point, and the ManPack services are portable kits that can be used in remote areas. The pensioner can request any of these services through the NADRA helpline (1777), and the service is provided free of charge, as with all the other channels.

What to do if the certificate is rejected

If a pension-paying institution rejects the Proof of Life Certificate, the most common reasons are that the certificate is not from NADRA, the certificate is from a non-recognised service channel, or the certificate has expired. The first step in case of rejection is to confirm that the certificate was obtained through one of the official channels listed above, and the second step is to confirm the validity period and ensure the certificate has not expired.

If the certificate is valid but is being rejected, the pensioner can contact the NADRA helpline at 1777 (available 24/7) or the NADRA headquarters at +92 51 111 786 100, and the helpline staff can help to confirm the validity of the certificate and to coordinate with the pension-paying institution if needed. The pensioner can also visit a NADRA Registration Centre in person to confirm the certificate and obtain a fresh printed copy if necessary.

What to watch

The new free + multi-channel approach is the most significant change to the Proof of Life Certificate since it was first introduced, and the practical effect will be visible in the next several months as pensioners renew their certificates through the new channels. The most useful indicators are the number of certificates being generated through the PakID app, the number of certificates being generated through the e-Sahulat and NADRA centre channels, and the feedback from pensioners on the practical ease of the new system.

For pensioners, the most practical advice is to renew the Proof of Life Certificate well before the existing certificate expires, to use the PakID app if possible since it is the most convenient channel, and to keep a digital copy of the certificate as a backup. The certificate is now free of charge and is available through multiple channels, which is a meaningful improvement in the practical experience of renewing the certificate, and the next renewal cycle is the first opportunity for most pensioners to use the new system.

For the broader NADRA services context, our NADRA FRC guide walks through related family documents. For the B-Form context, our B-Form NADRA guide is useful. For the CNIC renewal context, our CNIC renewal guide is related. For the PakID mobile app context, our PakID app setup guide is relevant.

Source: NADRA official announcement via @NadraPak on X (August 21, 2026); NADRA Headquarters statement; NADRA service channel listings (5,000+ e-Sahulat franchises, 988 NADRA Registration Centers, 500 Union Councils, Mobile Vans, Biker services, ManPack).