The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) issued a warning on Thursday urging citizens to renew their Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) before they expire. The authority highlighted that millions of CNICs are currently at risk of becoming invalid, which could lead to significant disruptions in essential services.
Under Pakistani law, identity documents are issued for a limited duration, making it mandatory for every adult citizen to renew their CNICs promptly. Failure to comply may result in suspension or interruption of critical services such as bank account operations, mobile SIM connectivity, and other verification-dependent facilities.
In a significant development, NADRA emphasized that expired CNICs could also prevent citizens from accessing various government and welfare initiatives, including the Benazir Income Support Programme and fuel subsidy schemes. Additionally, services related to property and vehicle transfers may be hindered, causing considerable inconvenience.
NADRA’s records, approximately 27.475 million CNICs, 2.309 million overseas identity cards, 11.65 million Child Registration Certificates, and 229,000 Juvenile Cards have expired and remain unrenewed. The authority has proactively sent SMS reminders to the affected individuals, including parents whose children have turned 18 but have yet to apply for their initial CNIC.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) issued directives on April 8 mandating active CNICs for uninterrupted mobile services. SIM cards linked to expired CNICs or registered under deceased individuals’ names are subject to blocking at any time. Presently, over 8.1 million SIM cards are active on around 4.5 million CNICs that require renewal, with more than 223,000 of these CNICs expired for over a decade.
Citizens have been advised to renew their CNICs without delay to avoid mobile service disruptions. Furthermore, approximately 1.5 million SIM cards still registered in the names of deceased relatives should be transferred to the current users’ names promptly.
NADRA urged all citizens to fulfill their legal obligation by renewing expired identity documents and ensuring that all individuals above 18 years obtain their CNICs. Renewal services are accessible at NADRA registration centers, via the Pak-ID mobile application, and through NADRA e-Sahulat franchises.
Finally, the authority warned that if renewal rates do not improve, additional fees and penalties could be introduced in the upcoming fiscal year after June for delayed renewals and applications.
