NADRA Launches 24/7 Centres for CNIC, Family Registration
The introduction of the CRC and the updated FRC, along with the assurance statement and the ability to correct inaccuracies, are significant steps towards preventing fraudulent entries and ensuring the accuracy of official family records. The reforms are expected to provide better legal protection for Pakistani citizens and improve the overall efficiency of the registration system.
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has launched three 24/7 National Registration Centres in Karachi to provide round-the-clock assistance with CNICs and family registration issues, as part of a series of policy reforms aimed at preventing fraudulent entries in official family records.
The new centres, located in Malir Cantt, Malir, and Surjani Town, will offer a range of services, including child registration certificates (B-Forms) and Family Registration Certificates (FRCs). Key changes to the registration process include the requirement of photographs and biometrics for children above three years, and the issuance of a separate B-Form for each child, which is mandatory for passport applications.
The reforms also grant legal status to the FRC, which can now be used in legal proceedings, including inheritance claims. Additionally, NADRA has introduced three official family types: Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, and applicants must provide an assurance statement verifying the accuracy of submitted information. Inaccuracies can be corrected through NADRA offices or its mobile application.
The move is part of a broader effort to curb identity document misuse and ensure the reliability and accessibility of the system. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry informed the Senate that the government has taken measures to prevent provincial bias in CNICs verification, and that internal accountability measures have been taken, with 266 NADRA employees dismissed and others penalized following departmental inquiries.
The reforms aim to streamline family registration, reduce fraud, and provide better legal protection for Pakistani citizens. With the launch of the 24/7 National Registration Centres, citizens can now access these services at their convenience, and NADRA's efforts to prevent fraudulent entries and ensure the accuracy of official family records are expected to have a positive impact on the country's database and registration system.