A growing number of Pakistani families are finding themselves entangled in legal and administrative challenges due to delays in cancelling the national identity cards (CNICs) of deceased relatives. Despite millions of registered deaths, NADRA’s failure to update its database has led to issues ranging from inheritance disputes to welfare fraud.
Cases like Majid Hussain’s highlight the real-world impact. Hussain was unable to sell property in his late father’s name because forged documents were presented, made possible by the still-active CNIC. Similarly, Nabeela Kausar struggled to update her own CNIC details due to her parents’ unregistered deaths in NADRA’s system.
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The consequences extend beyond personal inconvenience. Hundreds of cheques under government welfare programs have been issued in the names of deceased individuals, while the risk of electoral manipulation and illegal pension claims remains high. Legal experts stress the urgent need for systemic reforms to prevent such irregularities.
To address the issue, NADRA has launched an SMS alert system and a nationwide awareness campaign. Families of the deceased can now cancel CNICs free of charge by presenting key documents. Authorities urge timely action to safeguard public trust and prevent identity misuse.
