Nadra ID Card Security Enhanced with Revised Procedures
The revised procedures will help to prevent child trafficking, enhance women's rights, and provide citizens with more efficient and secure identity documentation, with future plans including iris scanning, biometric facilities at local union councils, and lifetime-valid identity cards for special persons and organ donors.
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced significant changes to the procedures for issuing Computerized National Identity Cards (CNIC), Family Registration Certificates (FRC), and B-Forms, aiming to enhance security and simplify documentation. The revised procedures include the requirement of original documents for all applications and the introduction of biometric fingerprints and photographs for children's B-Forms from January 15, 2025.
One of the major changes introduced by NADRA allows married women to choose between listing their father's or husband's name on their CNIC, giving them more control over their identity documentation. This change was made after the Interior Minister's instructions and federal cabinet approval. Additionally, NADRA has amended the National Identity Card Rules of 2002 and enhanced security features on non-chip CNICs, including the introduction of smart card details, bilingual text, and QR codes without additional fees.
The revised procedures also include the integration of NADRA systems with provincial civil registration databases, allowing for more efficient and accurate record-keeping. Furthermore, NADRA has introduced a new child registration process (B-Form) with different requirements for different age groups, and the Family Registration Certificate (FRC) has become a legal document, requiring accuracy confirmation and including all family members in one FRC. Citizens can update their records through NADRA offices or the Pak-ID mobile app.
To prevent fraud, particularly child trafficking, NADRA has modified registration guidelines, including mandatory registration of birth with the Union Council for B-Form, biometric data and iris scans for children aged 3-18, and separate B-Forms with expiry dates. Men with multiple marriages must provide complete details, and decisions on ID card confiscation, cancellation, or restoration will be finalized within 30 days.
The introduction of these revised procedures aims to enhance the security and efficiency of the ID card issuance process, while also providing citizens with more control over their identity documentation. With the integration of technology and the introduction of new security features, NADRA is working to prevent fraud and ensure the accuracy of identity records.