The Punjab government has reinstated the lifetime pension policy for widows of government employees, abolishing the previous rule that limited family pension payments to 10 years after an employee’s death.
The decision was approved during a provincial cabinet meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, with the Punjab Finance Department issuing an official notification to implement the revised policy.
Lifetime pension restored for eligible beneficiaries
Under the new policy, widows and unmarried daughters of deceased government employees will once again be entitled to receive pension benefits for life, provided they remain eligible under the applicable pension rules.
The move reverses an earlier amendment that had restricted widow pension payments to a maximum of 10 years following the death of a government employee.
Rules for multiple widows and remarriage
The revised policy also clarifies pension distribution in cases where a deceased government employee had more than one wife.
According to the notification, the family pension will be divided equally among all eligible widows.
However, if a widow remarries, her entitlement to the pension will cease immediately in accordance with the updated rules.
Cabinet approves policy reversal
The restoration of the lifetime pension policy was approved during the latest Punjab cabinet meeting as part of the government’s social welfare and pension reforms.
Officials said the decision is intended to strengthen financial security for the families of deceased government employees by ensuring long-term support for eligible widows and unmarried daughters.
The Punjab Finance Department has issued the formal notification, making the revised pension policy effective under the government’s updated family pension framework.
