Islamabad, June 20, 2025: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has unveiled comprehensive changes to the National Identity Card Rules 2002, introducing new regulations for B-form and ID card issuance aimed at improving data integrity, combating child trafficking, and modernizing Pakistan’s identity management system.
According to an official statement released Friday, birth registration at the union council level has been made mandatory for obtaining a B-form, a move that authorities say will help eliminate fake entries and significantly curb cases of child trafficking.
New B-Form registration guidelines
The updated registration criteria include age-specific biometric requirements:
- Children up to 3 years: No biometrics or photographs required.
- Children aged 3 to 10: Photograph and iris scan will be mandatory.
- Children aged 10 to 18: Photograph, biometric fingerprints, and iris scan will be required.
Each child will now be issued an individual B-form with a validity period — a first for the registration system. While older B-forms will remain valid, a new B-form will be required for passport applications.
In a significant move, Family Registration Certificates (FRCs) have now been granted legal status, and citizens will be required to submit declarations confirming the accuracy of their family information.
Key updates include:
- FRCs will be issued solely based on NADRA’s verified records.
- They will include family members whose data has not yet been registered.
- Citizens will be allowed to update or correct family records via NADRA offices or the official mobile app.
- Men with more than one spouse will have all wives listed under their record.
- Women will now have the option to choose between their father’s or husband’s name on their ID cards.
Additionally, NADRA has pledged to resolve all CNIC-related cases — including cancellations, restorations, and seizures — within 30 days, addressing longstanding complaints about bureaucratic delays.
NADRA has also introduced a new chipless identity card designed to offer key smart card features at a lower cost and with faster delivery. Key features include:
- Bilingual data display (Urdu and English)
- QR code for instant identity verification — free of charge
This innovation aims to increase accessibility to secure identity documentation for low-income citizens while retaining core functionalities.
In a final appeal, NADRA urged all citizens to voluntarily correct inaccurate or outdated information on their ID records to avoid future complications and contribute to a more reliable national database.
Officials said the reforms are part of a broader strategy to modernize Pakistan’s identity ecosystem and ensure legal documentation is both secure and inclusive.
