The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has concluded a massive nationwide reconciliation exercise, resulting in the cancellation of 4.2 million Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) belonging to deceased individuals. This move, executed under the NADRA Ordinance 2000, aims to ensure the integrity of Pakistan’s identity system by aligning the national database with provincial civil registration records.

The authority initiated this crackdown to prevent potential identity theft and fraudulent activity. By cross-referencing data from Union Councils, Town Committees, and Cantonment Boards, NADRA identified millions of records where deaths were registered locally but the corresponding CNICs remained active in the national system.

Streamlining Deceased Record Management

To encourage families to report deaths, NADRA has officially waived all cancellation fees and removed the requirement to physically deposit the deceased person's CNIC. These facilitative measures have already led to the voluntary cancellation of approximately 3 million identity cards by citizens.

Despite these incentives, 4.2 million records remained active until this recent automated reconciliation. This synchronization ensures that the national database accurately reflects vital life events including births, deaths, marriages, and divorces recorded by local authorities.

Recourse for Erroneous Cancellations

NADRA has established a swift recovery process for citizens who may have been wrongly marked as deceased due to fraudulent or erroneous reporting by relatives.

• Affected individuals can visit any NADRA Registration Center for immediate restoration.

• Restoration requires biometric verification and is provided free of charge.

• Citizens will be provided with details regarding the specific local authority and the relative who initially reported the death.

National Outreach for Child Registration

In a parallel effort to bolster the database, NADRA has launched a massive outreach campaign targeting 14 million children. These children are registered in local provincial systems but lack formal registration with the national authority.

Parents and guardians are currently receiving SMS notifications urging them to obtain Child Registration Certificates (CRC / B-Forms). To further increase accessibility, NADRA has announced that CRC issuance will soon be available through the extensive e-Sahulat franchise network across Pakistan.