The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has clarified that a digital Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) carries the same legal status as the traditional physical card.
According to a NADRA spokesperson, some government departments and institutions are still asking citizens to present physical CNICs or provide photocopies instead of accepting digital versions. The authority stated that such practices contradict the existing legal and regulatory framework governing digital identification in Pakistan.
Under the NADRA Ordinance and the country’s digital identity regulations, digital identity credentials—including the digital CNIC—are officially recognized as valid proof of identity. This means that individuals can use the digital version of their CNIC for identification purposes wherever verification is required.
The spokesperson further stressed that unnecessary photocopying of CNICs should be avoided. Government departments, public sector organizations, financial institutions, and telecom companies have been instructed to comply with these regulations and accept digital identification where applicable.
NADRA also encouraged citizens to report any violations if institutions refuse to accept the digital CNIC. Complaints can be submitted through NADRA’s official complaint management system to ensure proper implementation of the digital identity policy.
The clarification comes after NADRA introduced Pakistan’s first fully digital CNIC last year, marking an important step in the country’s shift toward modern digital identification systems. The announcement was made during the organization’s Silver Jubilee celebrations held in Islamabad.
In a statement issued at the time, Mohsin Raza Naqvi, the Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, described the initiative as a major milestone in Pakistan’s digital transformation. He explained that the feature has been integrated into the Pak ID app, allowing citizens to securely store their CNICs on their smartphones and present them digitally whenever identification is required.
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