ISLAMABAD:
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced a time-bound mechanism that allows citizens to obtain a Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) even without a computerized birth certificate, after it emerged that nearly 1.7% of the country’s adult population remains unregistered.
Although approximately 98.3% of the adult population has registered in the national identity system, around 1.7% of adults have not yet obtained their identity documents.
Officials said women constitute the majority of those who have not obtained the CNIC. The problem is more pronounced in certain districts where fewer citizens have obtained civil birth documents from local government institutions, resulting in both men and women being left out of the registration network.
NADRA performs registration for the first time on the basis of a computerized birth certificate issued by local governments, and the absence of this document has been identified as a major obstacle to full coverage.
During the preparation of its Annual Report 2025, NADRA conducted a detailed analysis of registration data of the last 10 years in collaboration with Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), National Commission for Child Welfare and Development (NCCWD) and other relevant institutions.
The review examined demographic trends and disparities between districts and genders to identify the causes of the enrollment gap and propose corrective measures.
In light of these recommendations, the Minister of Home Affairs ordered the introduction of structured and legally based facilitation, which was subsequently approved by the NADRA Board.
Under the new mechanism, effective until December 31, 2026, people who do not possess a computerized birth certificate issued by the local government can be issued a CNIC, provided they meet the prescribed verification requirements.
The facility is being expanded as per the provisions of the NADRA Ordinance and relevant CNIC rules allowing alternative verification procedures in specified circumstances to enhance registration.
Identity cards under this scheme will be issued only to persons whose identity can be established through existing NADRA records and after mandatory biometric verification of close relatives who are already registered.
For married women aged 18 years or above, a verified marriage certificate issued by the local government, CNIC of either parent, CNIC of the husband and biometric verification of one parent and the husband will be mandatory.
Single women aged 18 years or above are required to provide CNIC of either parent along with biometric verification of the parent holding a CNIC.
Male applicants above 24 years of age must ensure that either parent holds a CNIC and at least one sibling is registered, while biometric verification of one parent will also be required.
