The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has recently concluded a comprehensive verification campaign aimed at enhancing the reliability and accuracy of Pakistan’s national identity records. This extensive exercise involved cross-checking the Civil Registration System (CRS) against the National Citizen Database to identify discrepancies and ensure that the identity records accurately reflect the current demographic realities of the country.
As a result of this meticulous reconciliation process, NADRA has cancelled approximately 4.2 million Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) that were still active despite the cardholders being officially recorded as deceased in the civil registration records. These cancellations were executed in strict accordance with the NADRA Ordinance and the National Identity Card Rules, which provide the legal framework for maintaining the integrity of the national identity system.
Officials explained that many of these CNICs remained active because families had not updated NADRA with the death information, even though the deaths had been registered with provincial civil authorities. This gap had led to significant inconsistencies, with millions of identity cards still valid for individuals who were no longer alive. Such discrepancies not only distort national demographic data but can also be exploited for fraudulent activities.
In light of these challenges, NADRA has intensified its awareness campaigns and introduced facilitation measures to encourage families to come forward and update the status of deceased relatives. These efforts have borne fruit, with around 3 million families now having approached NADRA to formally cancel the CNICs of their deceased members. The authority stressed that timely cancellation of identity cards is crucial to maintaining accurate population statistics and preventing misuse of identity documents.
However, NADRA also acknowledged that in some instances, CNICs may be cancelled mistakenly or due to malicious actions by relatives or others. To address such cases, the authority has advised affected individuals to promptly contact NADRA. They should verify the relevant Union Council records, correct any inaccuracies, and then update their information with NADRA to restore their identity status correctly.
In a related development, NADRA highlighted a significant issue concerning the registration of newborns. It revealed that although around 14 million children’s births have been recorded at Union Councils across the country, these registrations have not yet been incorporated into NADRA’s national database. This gap poses challenges for ensuring that all citizens are accounted for from birth and have access to essential services linked to identity documentation.
To bridge this divide, NADRA has initiated a campaign to send reminder SMS notifications to parents and guardians, urging them to visit NADRA offices to obtain B-Forms, which are the official Child Registration Certificates. These certificates are essential for including children in the national database and securing their future access to education, healthcare, and other government services. The authority has called on parents to act swiftly to complete this vital registration process.
Overall, NADRA’s recent verification and outreach efforts underscore the importance of maintaining an up-to-date and accurate national identity system. By cancelling outdated CNICs and promoting the registration of new births, the authority is working to strengthen Pakistan’s demographic data infrastructure, which is critical for effective governance, planning, and security.
