The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has come up with an interim facilitation for the first time registration applicants, through which eligible Pakistani citizens would be able to register themselves for Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) without the requirement of the computerized birth certificate issued by the Local Government till 31st December 2026.
The decision is meant to benefit those citizens who have been excluded from the national identity registration programme of the government owing to a lack of documents, including women and the people of those regions where civil registration is not available.
Nearly 98.3% of Adults Already Registered
Around 98.3% of the adult population of Pakistan is registered in the national identity system and 1.7% is not registered, according to the Pakistan population data registry (NADRA).
One of the major challenges that hamper the first-time CNIC registration of some eligible citizens is the absence of computerised birth certificates, said NADRA. The problem is thought to be more prevalent in weaker civil registration and among women.
In preparation for its Annual Report 2025, NADRA made a detailed review of the registration data over a period of 10 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 relevant stakeholders.
The review explored the trends of the unregistered population, significant district-level differences and gender disparities to understand the reasons for the continued unregistered population.
Temporary CNIC Facilitation Introduced
On the basis of the Review, the Federal Minister of the Interior instructed NADRA to put in place a structured facilitation process for first time CNIC applicants.
The proposal was subsequently approved by the NADRA Authority Board.
New rules will allow qualified citizens to get a CNIC without a computerized birth certificate. But there are strict documentation and biometric verification requirements that will be required of the applicant.
Requirements for Married Women Aged 18 and Above
Married women applying for a CNIC under this facilitation mechanism must provide:
- A Local Government-issued Nikah Nama
- A valid CNIC or NICOP of either parent
- A valid CNIC or NICOP of the husband
- Biometric verification of one parent
- Biometric verification of the husband
Requirements for Unmarried Women
For unmarried women aged 18 years and above, the husband-related requirements do not apply.
Applicants will need:
- A valid CNIC or NICOP of either parent
- Biometric verification of one parent
Requirements for Male Applicants Above 24
The temporary arrangement will allow those who are over 24 years old to submit their applications without a computerized birth certificate.
However, the following conditions must be fulfilled:
- Either parent must hold a valid CNIC or NICOP
- At least one sibling must have a valid CNIC or NICOP
- Biometric verification of one parent will be required
Normal CNIC to Be Issued Free of Cost
NADRA has declared that non-smart CNICs will be issued under this facilitation mode free of charge.
The facility will be available to help incentivize eligible but undocumented citizens to register before Dec. 31, 2026.
NADRA Issues Important Warning
NADRA has warned applicants to be sure that all details they enter in their registration are correct.
Once the parentage, date of birth and place of birth of an applicant has been entered in the National Identity System, they will be forever irrevocable.
Thus, the applicants are advised to check all information and supporting papers carefully before applying.
The temporary measure by NADRA to accept applications for the first-time CNIC without computerized birth certificate may help thousands of previously undocumented citizens enter Pakistan’s national identity system.
Once the family documentation and biometric verification are completed, the facilitation will be ongoing until December 31, 2026. The interested candidates must read all the conditions and should make sure that all the personal information is correctly entered in the form.
