The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced a time-bound facilitation program for new CNIC applicants.
In a statement, the authority said that although Pakistan has achieved about 98.3 percent adult registration in the national identity system, a residual gap of nearly 1.7 percent remains. The gap was more pronounced among women and, for both sexes, in some districts where civil registration coverage is relatively low.
In most of these cases, the lack of a computerized birth certificate issued by the local government, the main basic document for first registration, has been the main obstacle.
“While preparing its Annual Report 2025, NADRA conducted a detailed analysis of the registration data of the last ten years in coordination with the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Election Commission of Pakistan, National Commission on the Status of Women, National Commission for Child Welfare and Development and other stakeholders,” the statement said.
The exercise examined demographic trends, district-level variations and gender differences to identify the causes of the remaining gap and formulate corrective measures.
While presenting the findings, the Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control directed the introduction of a structured and legally based facilitation mechanism, which was subsequently approved by the NADRA Authority Council, the statement said.
“Accordingly, NADRA has introduced a time-limited facilitation measure for first registration, valid until December 31, 2026. Under this framework, Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) may be issued – subject to strict verification conditions – where a computerized birth certificate issued by the local government is not available.”
Issuance of CNIC under this will be permitted only when identity is established through existing NADRA records and mandatory biometric verification of already registered immediate family members.
For a married woman aged 18 years or above, a valid local government Nikah Nama, a valid CNIC or NICOP of one of the parents, a valid CNIC or NICOP of the husband and biometric verification of a parent and husband will be mandatory.
For a single woman aged 18 or over, the husband condition will not apply. However, a valid CNIC or NICOP of either parent and biometric verification of a parent will be mandatory.
For a male applicant above 24 years of age, issuance will only be allowed if one of the parents holds a valid CNIC or NICOP and at least one sibling also holds a valid CNIC or NICOP, along with mandatory biometric verification of a parent.
