ISLAMABAD: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced sweeping new guidelines for CNIC issuance and B‑Form registration, aimed at bolstering data security and curbing identity fraud.
Under CNIC protocol changes announced in late April, applicants visiting NADRA centres are now required to bring original documents only— photocopies are no longer accepted for routine processes like CNICs and B‑Forms. NADRA also clarified that using someone else’s CNIC as a reference or guarantee is legally invalid, a measure intended to prevent impersonation and curb related fraud. New instructional signage has been installed across offices to ensure public awareness.
In a historic move affecting minors, a January ruling mandates that children aged 10 to 18 must obtain a biometric-enhanced B‑Form, which now includes fingerprints and a photograph. This phased rollout began on January 15, and the enhanced B‑Form is now compulsory when applying for new passports, replacing the previous non-biometric version. The enhancements—implemented in consultation with the Interior Ministry and passport authorities—are designed to combat identity theft, fake IDs, illegal passports, and human trafficking.
To streamline identity verification, parents of children aged 10–18 must visit NADRA centres with the child’s computerized birth certificate and one parent’s CNIC. The Directorate General of Immigration & Passports will cross-check the child’s biometrics during passport processing. NADRA has also launched an online application facility via the Pak-ID mobile app for parents registering children under the age of one.
Additional reforms include integrating NADRA’s database with provincial Civil Registration Management Systems and planning future enhancements such as iris scans, digital IDs, and improved mobile and online services.
These measures are part of NADRA’s broader strategy to strengthen Pakistan’s identity framework, reduce documentation fraud, and make administrative processes more secure and citizen-friendly. With clear official guidance and improved digital platforms, the agency aims to enhance trust in national identity records while simplifying application procedures.
