The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has announced the issuance of national identity cards with lifetime validity for individuals with disabilities, as stated in a press release on Tuesday.
This significant amendment to NADRA Rules 2002 aims to foster inclusivity, simplify documentation, and cater to the unique requirements of people with disabilities in Pakistan.
Read more: Senior NADRA Official Abducted In Islamabad
According to the 2023 census by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, around 7.5 million Pakistanis live with disabilities. On a global scale, nearly 1.3 billion people, or 16% of the population, experience significant disabilities.
NADRA has introduced special identity cards for adults with disabilities, marked with a wheelchair logo to signify their status. Similarly, child registration certificates and juvenile cards featuring the wheelchair symbol will be issued for children with disabilities. Eligible citizens, both residents and expatriates, recognized by relevant authorities, will benefit from this initiative. Identity cards with a donor logo and lifetime validity will also be issued to individuals registering as organ donors.
These steps align with the federal government’s commitment to simplifying processes and recognizing the contributions of marginalized groups. While people with disabilities in Pakistan face challenges like discrimination and exploitation, legislative measures such as the ICT Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2020, the 1981 Disabled Persons Employment Ordinance, and Pakistan’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities aim to improve their rights and inclusion.
