The National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) of Pakistan has issued a warning to citizens to renew their expired smart national identity cards (CNIC) before the end of June. The authority cautioned that failure to comply could result in the imposition of late fees and substantial penalties, which are set to be enforced after the deadline.
While the legal provisions for penalizing expired identity cards have existed, they have not been actively applied until now. NADRA emphasized that enforcement will commence following the June cutoff to encourage timely renewals and facilitate public compliance.
Currently, around 27.4 million identity cards, along with millions of other official documents such as overseas cards and child registration certificates, have expired across Pakistan. NADRA highlighted the risks of not renewing these documents, noting that essential services could be suspended as a consequence.
Among the services potentially affected are bank accounts, mobile SIM cards, and other facilities requiring identity verification. Additionally, access to government assistance programs like the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) and various subsidies, including petrol subsidies, may be disrupted. Property transactions and vehicle registrations could also face complications without valid identity documentation.
In collaboration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), NADRA revealed that over 8.1 million mobile SIM cards remain active on 4.5 million expired identity cards. Authorities warned that these SIMs are at risk of being blocked at any time. Furthermore, NADRA urged citizens to transfer ownership of approximately 1.5 million SIMs registered under deceased relatives to prevent service interruptions.
Separately, NADRA has sent SMS reminders to parents of children who have recently turned 18 but have not yet applied for their national identity cards. Citizens are encouraged to visit NADRA offices or utilize the online portal to complete renewals promptly and avoid any inconvenience.
