The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has taken a significant step by cancelling 4.2 million Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) that belonged to individuals officially recorded as deceased in provincial civil registration systems. This large-scale action is part of Nadra’s ongoing commitment to refining and modernizing Pakistan’s national registration database, ensuring that records accurately reflect the current population.
A spokesperson for Nadra elaborated that while many families have reported deaths to provincial authorities, a substantial number have not followed through with the formal cancellation of the deceased individuals’ CNICs. This gap has led to outdated and inaccurate data within the national identity system. The recent cancellations aim to close this loophole and prevent misuse of identity cards that should no longer be active.
In addition to the forced cancellations, Nadra’s efforts have encouraged families to voluntarily surrender CNICs of their deceased relatives. Approximately 3 million such cards have been handed in by families, reflecting growing public cooperation with the authority’s data integrity initiatives. This voluntary compliance is a positive sign of increased awareness about the importance of maintaining an up-to-date national registry.
However, Nadra also acknowledged that some cancellations may have occurred in error. In such cases, individuals affected by the mistaken cancellation of their CNICs are advised to reach out directly to Nadra. The authority will provide guidance on how to rectify the issue, including information about the relevant Union Council responsible for their registration. This process ensures that citizens can regain access to their identity documents without undue delay.
Beyond the cancellation of CNICs for deceased persons, Nadra highlighted a concerning discrepancy in the registration of births. While Union Councils have recorded the births of approximately 14 million children, these entries have not been fully integrated into Nadra’s central database. This gap poses challenges for accurate population tracking and the delivery of essential services to children.
To address this, Nadra has initiated a campaign to remind parents and guardians via SMS to complete the registration process by obtaining Form-B, an essential document for official birth registration. The authority stresses the importance of timely registration to ensure that every child’s identity is properly documented from birth, which is crucial for access to education, healthcare, and social services.
Looking ahead, Nadra plans to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of child registration by offering birth certificates through its e-Service franchise network. This digital expansion is expected to simplify the process for families across the country, reducing the need for physical visits to registration offices and speeding up the issuance of vital documents. Such modernization efforts reflect Nadra’s broader mission to leverage technology in improving national identity management and public service delivery.
