The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has launched a conditional arrangement enabling eligible citizens to obtain a computerized national identity card even if they do not have a computerized birth certificate issued by local authorities. Although NADRA has registered around 98.3 percent of Pakistan’s adult population, nearly 1.7 percent remain without identity cards, with women forming a significant portion of the unregistered group. In districts where birth registration rates are low, many individuals have faced difficulties completing the documentation process.
Previously, a computerized birth certificate was mandatory for first-time registration, creating a major obstacle for many applicants. While compiling its 2025 annual report, NADRA reviewed a decade of registration data in collaboration with the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Election Commission of Pakistan, National Commission on the Status of Women, and National Commission on the Rights of Child. The assessment identified key reasons behind the documentation gap and recommended corrective steps. Following directives from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, NADRA’s Authority Board approved a structured legal solution.
This temporary facility will remain valid until December 31, 2026. Applicants without birth certificates must undergo strict verification, including biometric confirmation from close registered relatives. Specific documentation requirements apply to married women, unmarried women, and male applicants, along with biometric verification conditions. In cases where parents or a spouse are deceased but their records exist in NADRA’s database, authorized officers may grant limited exemptions.
Under this time-bound initiative, NADRA will issue free non-smart identity cards in the normal category. Once registration is completed, details such as parentage, date of birth, and place of birth will be permanently recorded. Applicants are advised to verify all information carefully and apply before the deadline at their nearest NADRA center.
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