Are you still alive? KMC out to exorcise ghost pensioners

Reports rife that heirs continue to collect pension even after demise of the retired employees

KARACHI:

Responding to reports of heirs collecting pension of the retired employees of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and district municipal corporations (DMCs) even after their death has prompted the new local government to physically verify if the pensioners were alive.

Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) is starting the process of physical verification of the pensioners of KMC, DMCs and District Council Karachi who receive their pension through Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP).

The process starting August 1 is meant to make the process of payment of pension better and transparent, said a KMC statement. KMC Welfare Department the KMC Finance and Accounts Department will conduct the physical verification of pensioners at designated branches of HBL and NBP in the city, the statement said.

Managements of HBL and NBP will send a text message to the pensioners through their registered mobile number asking them to provide their life certificate. Widows receiving their deceased husband's pension will have to submit a certificate confirming that they have not remarried.

Similarly, daughter of a deceased KMC employee receiving his pension will have to submit a certificate affirming that she has not married anyone so far. Financial Advisor of KMC has asked the managements of the two banks to contact the branch manager concerned to cooperate with the staff of KMC during the physical verification and to provide the pension books and other details.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2023.