• Nadra offer valid till year end
• Move aims to bridge remaining 1.7pc adult registration gap, particularly among women

ISLAMABAD: In a significant move, the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has announced that it will issue Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) to individuals seeking first-time registration without requiring birth certificates.

The time-bound facility for first-time registration will remain valid until December 31, 2026, and will be subject to strict verification conditions.

“This facilitation has been approved under Section 5(1)(b) and Section 20 of the Nadra Ordinance, 2000, read with Rule 8 of the Nadra NIC Rules, 2002, which permit alternative verification mechanisms in specified categories”, a statement issued by the authority on Sunday said.

CNIC issuance under this framework shall be allowed only where identity is established through Nadra’s existing records and mandatory biometric verification of already registered immediate family members.

For a married woman aged 18 years or above, a valid local government Nikahnama, a valid CNIC or Nicop of either parent, a valid CNIC or Nicop of the husband, and biometric verification of one parent and the husband shall be mandatory.

For an unmarried female aged 18 years or above, the husband-related requirement will not apply. However, a valid CNIC or Nicop of either parent and biometric verification of one parent will be mandatory.

For a male applicant above 24 years of age, issuance will be allowed only if either parent holds a valid CNIC or Nicop, at least one sibling also holds a valid CNIC or Nicop, and biometric verification of one parent is completed.

In cases where both parents or the husband are deceased but their records exist within Nadra’s database, the authorised officer may grant exemption from biometric verification, subject to record-based linkage and satisfactory verification checks.

This facilitation is strictly time-bound and verification-based.

To further facilitate applicants, non-smart CNICs applied for under the Normal category will be issued under this framework without any fee.

Once recorded in the National Identity System, details such as parentage, date of birth, and place of birth shall be irrevocable and cannot be changed.

Citizens have been advised to ensure the accuracy of all information at the time of registration.

Eligible applicants are encouraged to approach the nearest Nadra Registration Centre to avail themselves of this time-bound facilitation.

While Pakistan has achieved approximately 98.3 per cent adult registration in the National Identity System, a residual gap of nearly 1.7pc remains. This gap is more pronounced among females and, for both genders, in certain districts where civil documentation coverage is comparatively weaker.

In most such cases, the absence of a local government-issued computerised birth certificate — the primary feeder document for first-time registration — has been the principal impediment.

During the preparation of its Annual Report 2025, Nadra conducted a detailed analysis of registration data from the past 10 years in coordination with the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the Election Commission of Pakistan, the National Commission on the Status of Women, the National Commission for Child Welfare and Development, and other stakeholders.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2026