The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has decided to introduce special security features in Form B (Registration Certificate) for children above 10 years of age.
Following the instructions of Federal Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi, fingerprints and photographs of children above 10 years of age will become a mandatory part of the B form.
The issuance of the new Form B will take place in phases, starting January 15. NADRA has introduced this new feature in collaboration with the Department of Passports, Express News reported.
Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi said these measures will help prevent the theft and misuse of children’s identity information. They will play an important role in combating crimes such as false identity documents for children, illegal acquisition of passports and human trafficking.
He congratulated the Chairman of NADRA, Director General of Passport Department and the entire team for implementing reforms in Form B in a short time.
According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior, in the first phase fingerprints and photographs will be taken from children between 10 and under 18 years of age starting January 15 at the NADRA centers.
A parent or legal guardian must accompany the child, bringing their computerized national identity card and the child’s computerized birth certificate issued by the Trade Union Council or the Municipal Committee.
The spokesperson further mentioned that after the necessary process at NADRA, a Form B with photograph will be issued to the child. To apply for a new passport, children above 10 years of age and below 18 years of age must submit the new Form B containing their fingerprints and a photograph issued by NADRA.
The old B form, which does not include a photograph or fingerprints, will not be accepted for children in this age group.
The Ministry of the Interior spokesperson also highlighted that parents or legal guardians must ensure the creation of a new B form with the child’s fingerprints and photograph.
The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports will verify the child’s photograph and fingerprints against the NADRA database during the processing of the passport application. More reforms will be introduced in the next stages.
Previously, NADRA updated its fee structure for Child Registration Certificate, commonly known as Form B, which is crucial for registering minors in the national database of Pakistan.
The normal fee to obtain Form B remains Rs 50, while those opting for expedited processing will incur a fee of Rs 500.
This move is part of NADRA’s efforts to streamline the registration process and ensure that children in Pakistan are officially recognized from birth. To apply for Form B, parents must present a computerized birth certificate issued by the relevant Trade Union Council.
At least one parent must have a valid National Identity Card (NIC) or National Identity Card for Pakistan Overseas (NICOP).
