The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced a new version of Pakistan’s national identity card, designed to offer smart verification features without the embedded microchip, aiming to cut production costs and widen access for citizens.
The updated non-chip ID card features bilingual text in English and Urdu to align with official documents like passports and simplify identity verification across institutions. A key addition is a QR code that allows digital authentication through the Pak ID mobile app, streamlining processes for both public and private sector services.
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Notably, NADRA has introduced exclusive lifetime-validity cards for two groups: registered organ donors and individuals with disabilities, each marked by unique symbols on their cards. The new non-chip option, while lacking a microchip, retains robust security features to protect data and prevent counterfeiting.
Available for renewal, modification, or replacement of lost cards, the non-chip ID comes with an adjusted fee structure—Rs400 for normal processing, Rs1,150 for urgent, and Rs2,150 for executive services. NADRA confirmed that the chip-based Smart National Identity Card will still be offered for those needing chip-enabled functions.
