A viral notification circulating on social media has once again caused confusion among government employees across Pakistan. The document claims that the federal government has increased the retirement age of government employees by three years, raising it from 60 to 63. The alleged order also states that the decision would take effect from January 1, 2026.
The claim spread rapidly on social media platforms and messaging groups, leading many employees to believe that the government had quietly approved a major policy change. However, official sources have categorically rejected the notification and clarified that no such decision has been taken.
According to officials, the notification being shared online is completely fake and baseless. Authorities confirmed that neither the Establishment Division nor the Finance Division has issued any notification regarding an increase in the retirement age of federal government employees. They also stressed that no formal approval exists for such a move.
Why the viral notification is fake
Officials highlighted several clear irregularities in the viral document. One major issue is that the paper carries a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government logo, even though it claims to represent a federal decision. This alone raises serious doubts about its authenticity.
Authorities also pointed out that the document uses an unusual and incorrect title, referring to an entity called the Ministry of Pakistan Islamabad. Officials said no such ministry exists within the federal government structure.
Another major red flag is the listed signatory. The notification names Shakeel Qadeer Khan as Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Pakistan. Officials confirmed that this designation is incorrect and described the signature as forged.
The viral notice also includes reference numbers supposedly linked to the Finance Division and the Establishment Division. According to official sources, these reference numbers are fabricated. There is no record of any file, summary, or decision related to a retirement age extension in government archives.
Authorities further explained that any change in the retirement age would require a formal policy decision, cabinet level approval, and an official notification published in the Gazette of Pakistan. None of these steps have taken place.
Officials noted that similar false notifications have circulated in the past. Such claims often resurface during periods of economic uncertainty or administrative reforms. They said these posts are usually designed to create confusion and false hope among government employees.
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The government has urged employees and the general public to avoid relying on unverified social media posts. Authorities advised people to confirm such information through official government websites, press releases, or notifications published in the official Gazette.
At present, the retirement age of federal government employees remains unchanged at 60 years. No proposal or summary regarding an extension is under consideration, according to official sources.
The incident highlights the growing challenge of misinformation on social media. Officials emphasized the importance of verifying news from reliable and authentic sources before sharing it further, especially when it concerns government policies and employee matters.
