A notification circulating on social media has once again sparked confusion about whether the federal government has raised the retirement age of government employees by three years, from 60 to 63.
The viral document is attributed to the Establishment Division and claims the Government of Pakistan has decided to grant a three-year extension to all federal government employees. It further states that the supposed order would take effect from January 1, 2026.
Official sources have rejected the notification and termed it fake and baseless, stressing that no such notification has been issued. They also said no formal approval has been granted by either the Finance Division or the Establishment Division regarding any increase in the retirement age.
Authorities pointed out multiple irregularities in the circulating paper. According to officials, the document carries a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa logo, includes the unusual title “Ministry of Pakistan Islamabad”, and lists a signatory as “Shakeel Qadeer Khan, Chief Secretary, Ministry of Pakistan”, which officials described as a forged signature.
The viral notice also includes reference numbers linked to the Finance and Establishment divisions. Officials said these references are also fabricated, and that no genuine record exists of a decision or notification of this nature.
Officials added that similar false notifications and claims have surfaced on social media in the past. They said such posts often aim to create uncertainty and confusion among the public and government employees.
Relevant authorities have urged people to avoid relying on social media posts and instead verify information through authentic government sources and notifications published in the official Gazette.