Islamabad: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has announced a sweeping overhaul of Pakistan’s identity management framework, introducing comprehensive changes to the CNIC and birth registration processes.
These reforms, approved by the Federal Cabinet under the directive of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, aim to modernize and secure the country’s national identity system.
Key highlights of the new regulations include mandatory birth registration with Union Councils before issuing Child Registration Certificates (CRCs), enhancing the accuracy of child identity records and combating illegal registrations and child trafficking.
The rules also specify updated biometric requirements for children, with different protocols for age groups, and introduce individual CRCs for minors with defined validity periods.
Legal recognition has been granted to the Family Registration Certificate (FRC), which citizens can now obtain solely based on NADRA’s records, accompanied by an undertaking of data accuracy.
The reforms also categorize families into three types—Alpha (by birth), Beta (by marriage), and Gamma (by adoption)—mandating registration of unlisted family members and improving data correction procedures through mobile apps and NADRA offices.
Additionally, the updated FRC will now detail information about men with multiple marriages, while married women may choose to display either their father’s or husband’s name on their CNICs, enhancing privacy and clarity.
NADRA has also introduced procedural improvements for the verification, confiscation, and cancellation of identity documents, with legally mandated resolution timelines of thirty days.
The upgraded Teslin identity cards now feature enhanced security elements, bilingual information, and QR codes replacing traditional thumb impressions, making them more secure, accessible, and cost-effective.
A new voluntary correction facility empowers individuals to proactively rectify incorrect identity records, further strengthening the integrity of Pakistan’s digital identity infrastructure. The reforms also include precise definitions of key terms such as “biometrics,” “confiscation,” and “digital marking,” aligning policies across relevant institutions like the State Bank of Pakistan, Federal Board of Revenue, and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.
Officials believe these reforms will significantly curb fake identities, streamline service delivery, and bolster national security, paving the way for a more efficient and secure digital governance system in Pakistan.
