ISLAMABAD:
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced a time-bound facility allowing citizens to obtain a Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) even without a computerised birth certificate, after it emerged that nearly 1.7% of the country’s adult population remains unregistered.
Despite the completion of registration for approximately 98.3% of the adult population in the national identity system, around 1.7% of adults have yet to obtain their identity cards.
Officials said women make up the majority of those who have not secured CNICs. The issue 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 net.
NADRA carries out first-time registration on the basis of a computerised birth certificate issued by local governments, and the absence of this document has been identified as a major obstacle to full coverage.
During preparation of its Annual Report 2025, NADRA conducted a detailed analysis of registration data from the past 10 years in collaboration with the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), the National Commission for Child Welfare and Development (NCCWD) and other relevant institutions.
The review examined population trends and disparities across districts and genders to identify the causes of the registration gap and propose corrective measures.
In light of these recommendations, the interior minister directed the introduction of a structured and legally grounded facilitation, which was subsequently approved by the NADRA Board.
Under the new mechanism – effective until December 31, 2026 – individuals who do not possess a local government-issued computerised birth certificate may be issued a CNIC, provided they fulfil prescribed verification requirements.
The facility is being extended under provisions of the NADRA Ordinance and relevant CNIC rules that allow alternative verification procedures in specific circumstances to enhance registration.
Identity cards under this scheme will be issued only to individuals whose identity can be established through existing NADRA records and after mandatory biometric verification of close family members who are already registered.
For married women aged 18 years or above, a verified marriage certificate issued by the local government, the CNIC of either parent, the husband’s CNIC, and biometric verification of one parent and the husband will be mandatory.
Unmarried women aged 18 years or above must provide the 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 possesses a CNIC and that at least one sibling is registered, while biometric verification of one parent will also be required.
