What are the benefits of background checks in Pakistan?

A background check in Pakistan confers key benefits for businesses hiring new people or relocating employees internationally:

• Ensuring accuracy of job applications - A background check can verify an applicant's credentials, employment history, and references. Informed hiring decisions can prevent costly mistakes in the long term.
• Protecting company interests - Background checks help protect companies from potential liabilities by identifying any red flags that could lead to legal issues or reputational damage down the line.
• Safeguarding employees’ safety - By conducting a thorough background check on each applicant, employers can identify any risks associated with hiring someone with a criminal record or other past indiscretions that could put other employees at risk.
• Adhering to data privacy laws - Adherence not only to local but also global data privacy standards underscores a company’s overall commitment to ethical operation and creates a  comfortable, secure work environment for all employees.

What are the types of background checks in Pakistan?

Below are the background checks to expect in Pakistan:

Pakistan criminal record check

A Pakistan criminal record check is not required by law in the country. However, some sectors such as banking and private security firms may need pre-employment criminal records screening. Employers should restrict the use of information gained from any pre-employment background checks to the purposes for which they were obtained.

Criminal backgrounds can be checked through court or police department records and provide details of any past criminal activities in which an applicant may have been involved. Driving records (licenses, accidents, citations, etc,) should also be examined if candidates are expected to drive vehicles during employment, as they may impact job suitability.

Employment history check

In Pakistan, there are no outright prohibitions preventing background checks on applicants, whether conducted by the would-be employer or an authorized third party. However, employers must take into account federal and provincial legislation, which prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of gender, religion, political affiliation, and other factors. In some areas of Pakistan preference may be given to local residents without being deemed discriminatory under provincial law.

Ultimately, when conducting pre-employment background checks in Pakistan, employers need to ensure they adhere to all applicable legal requirements and treat all candidates equally. This will help protect them from any potential liability risks associated with such activities while ensuring fairness towards jobseekers during recruitment processes.

Medical screening

Employers can legally require applicants to submit to medical examinations as part of the pre-employment screening process in Pakistan — but they must do so without discriminating on any basis. 

Employers must ensure compliance with applicable laws when conducting medical screenings for potential employees in Pakistan. Employers should only use medically relevant criteria when making decisions about who is hired or not hired. Any other type of discrimination would be considered illegal under Pakistani law and could result in serious penalties if discovered by local authorities or international monitoring organizations such as the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC).

Credit history check

Pre-employment credit checks are not commonly used in Pakistan due to the lack of a reliable credit reporting system. However, employers can still conduct such checks if they have an independent source for information verification. As with background and educational history checks, any pre-employment credit check must adhere to all applicable legal requirements and treat all candidates equally regardless of their backgrounds.

Education history

Verification of education and training is critical for roles that require specific qualifications, licenses, or accreditations. Educational history checks in Pakistan can help employers establish that an applicant's credentials are suitable for the role they will fill. Again, all information must be collected with due consideration of applicable laws against discrimination and harassment.

Social media check

Social media checks are becoming increasingly popular as part of pre-employment screening in Pakistan. Employers can use publicly available information on different social media platforms to gain insight into a candidate's character and suitability. However. employers must ensure they have obtained the consent of candidates before collecting or processing any personal data from their social media accounts. Additionally, employers should also be aware of the risks associated with using this type of background check when making hiring decisions. To avoid potential discrimination claims, it is advisable to seek legal advice prior to carrying out any form of social media check during pre-employment screening in Pakistan.

Requirements for background check in Pakistan

When it comes to background screening, Pakistan-specific requirements are straightforward:

1. A valid government-issued ID card or passport of the individual being checked
2. Signed consent from the individual to conduct a background check, including permission for access to personal information and records such as educational qualifications, criminal history, employment history, etc.
3. The name and contact details of at least two references who can provide additional information about the candidate’s character and work experience (if applicable)
4. When it is relevant to the hiring process, a copy of any relevant documents that may be required by law in Pakistan such as police clearance certificates or court orders related to past convictions
5. The payment for processing the background check request with an authorized agency.

Make sure all your bases are covered in terms of legal requirements and safeguards against any claims of potential discriminatory hiring practices.

Steps in conducting a background check in Pakistan

1. Obtain the necessary documents and information from the individual being checked, including a valid government-issued ID card or passport, signed consent to conduct a background check, contact details of references (if applicable), and any relevant legal documents such as police clearance certificates or court orders related to past convictions (if applicable).
2. Submit all required documentation along with payment for processing fees to an authorized party to perform the background checks.
3. They will then verify all provided information by contacting the references listed on the application form and/or accessing public records databases such as criminal history databases, depending on what type of check you requested.
4. Once verification is complete, they will provide you with a detailed report outlining their findings for you to use for making hiring decisions.

Are employee background checks legal in Pakistan?

Employee background checks are legal in Pakistan, there are no laws that prohibit them. However, any data collected must be used solely for determining suitability for the role and must not infringe on an individual's basic rights or privacy. Skuad performs background checks when you make us your EOR partner.

Employers must also ensure they have written consent from prospective employees as well as authorization to request information from relevant agencies before initiating a background search in Pakistan. Lastly, it's worth mentioning again that employers should take extra care when dealing with sensitive personal details such as ethnicity or religion that might lead to discrimination in hiring decisions if misused.

Remember, compliance with local labor laws should be part of your corporate priorities.

Planning to hire in Pakistan? Here’s how Skuad can help

Are you looking to hire a global workforce or talent in Pakistan? With Skuad as your Employer of Record partner, you can easily manage the entire employment lifecycle of your distributed team. Along with simplifying global hiring and payroll, our experts also help to vet potential employees. Plus, with Skuad's unified platform, you can onboard new hires, pay them accurately and take care of your entire global team without any hassle! Talk to our experts today for more information on how we can help build your globally-distributed teams.

FAQs

How can I check my criminal record in Pakistan?

You can check your criminal record in Pakistan by requesting information from public courtrooms or police departments whose records will provide details of any past criminal activities in which you may have been involved. You may also need to verify your driving records, including license details as well as any accidents or instances of driving under the influence that might affect job suitability.

What is asked in a background check?

A background check typically includes researching an applicant’s criminal records, credit history, education, professional qualifications, and references.

How is a background check done?

A background check is done by obtaining necessary documents and information from the individual being checked (e.g. valid government-issued ID, signed consent to conduct a background check, and references or relevant legal documents where applicable). The submitted documentation along with payment for processing fees is then sent to an authorized party who will verify all provided information. Once verification is complete, the authorized service provides the potential employer with a detailed report outlining their findings.

How do I get a background check on a foreigner?

The most important background check for foreigners is ensuring they are legally authorized to work in Pakistan. Secondarily, employers in certain fields may be interested in performing a criminal records check. Third-party background check providers or global workforce partners like Skuad can perform background checks as part of the hiring process.

How is a criminal record verified?

Criminal records in Pakistan can be verified by looking into public courtrooms or police department records.