Last updated: October 14, 2026
This policy explains which sources we trust and how we check facts before and after publishing.
Source hierarchy
- Primary official sources: websites ending in .gov.pk (for example, the official BISP, NADRA, provincial government and department websites), official notifications, gazettes, budget documents, and official press releases.
- Verified official accounts: verified social media accounts of ministries, departments, programs and named officials.
- On-the-record statements: named officials or organisations speaking at public events or on the record.
- Established news organisations: credited and linked when we rely on them.
- Not accepted as sole sources: WhatsApp forwards, unverified social media posts, YouTube claims, anonymous tips, or other websites that do not cite an official source.
Our checks
Before we publish, we check:
- payment amounts, dates and deadlines;
- eligibility rules and required documents;
- official helpline numbers, SMS short codes and web addresses (to protect readers from fake numbers and phishing sites);
- names and titles of officials and programs;
- quotes, against the original statement where we have it.
If an official source cannot be found, we either do not publish the claim or clearly label it as unconfirmed.
Showing our sources
- Each article should list its main sources, with links and the date we checked them.
- We link to the specific official page, not just the homepage, wherever possible.
Rechecking
We recheck evergreen guides at least every three months and whenever an official change is announced.
Errors
If we find an error, we follow our Corrections Policy.