The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has announced sweeping changes to the National Identity Card Rules 2002, aiming to enhance data accuracy, prevent child trafficking, and strengthen legal documentation across Pakistan.

According to an official announcement, birth registration at the local union council level will now be mandatory to obtain a B-form. This move is expected to eliminate fake registrations and effectively end child trafficking.

New B-form registration guidelines

Under the revised rules:

Children up to three years of age will not be required to submit biometric data or photographs.
For children aged between three and 10 years, a photograph and iris scan will be mandatory.
For children aged 10 to 18 years, all three — photograph, biometric data, and iris scan — will be required.

Each child will now be issued a separate B-form, which will also carry a validity period. While previously issued B-forms remain valid, a new B-form will be necessary to apply for a passport going forward.

Strengthening family registration system

In another significant update, Family Registration Certificates (FRCs) have now been given legal status. Citizens will be required to submit a declaration confirming the accuracy of the family information provided.

The updated FRC system will:

Be issued only based on NADRA's records, ensuring consistency and accountability.
Also include details of family members whose details have not been submitted yet.
Allow citizens to correct family information via NADRA offices or the mobile app.
Include detailed family records for men who have more than one spouse.
Give women the choice to list either their father’s or husband’s name on their ID cards.

To enhance service efficiency, NADRA will now resolve cases related to the seizure, cancellation, or restoration of CNICs within 30 days, streamlining a process that was often delayed in the past.

Affordable, chipless ID cards with smart features

NADRA has also rolled out a new chipless identity card that includes most of the features of a smart card but at a lower cost and with faster delivery. These cards will now include:

Data in both Urdu and English
A QR code for quick verification (without any additional fee)

The initiative is designed to make identity documentation more accessible while maintaining high standards of security and functionality.

In a final announcement, NADRA urged citizens who have made ID cards with incorrect or outdated information to voluntarily come forward and get their records corrected.