NADRA Clarifies Legal Status of Digital CNIC

The National Database and Registration Authority has observed that certain offices and service providers are insisting on the production of a physical Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) or its photocopy and refusing to accept the DigitalID or dematerialized CNIC or NICOP or POC available through NADRA’s official digital identity platform PakID.

NADRA clarifies that such practice is inconsistent with the applicable legal framework.

Under the National Database and Registration Authority Ordinance 2000, NADRA is mandated to maintain the national citizen database and issue identity credentials. Pursuant to this authority, the NADRA Digital Identity Regulations 2025 provide legal recognition to digital identity credentials issued by NADRA.

In particular:

Accordingly, the DigitalID or dematerialized CNIC, NICOP or POC is legally equivalent to the physical CNIC and must be accepted wherever proof of identity is required.

The use of digital identity or dematerialized credentials also helps reduce the need for photocopies of CNICs, thereby strengthening the protection of citizens’ personal data and minimizing the risk of misuse of identity information.

All government departments, public authorities, financial institutions, telecom operators, and other service providers are advised to ensure compliance with the above legal provisions and to issue appropriate instructions to their field offices.

Citizens who face refusal in acceptance of the Digital CNIC may register their complaints with NADRA through its official complaint channels so that appropriate action may be taken in accordance with the law.

NADRA remains committed to facilitating secure, convenient, and technology-enabled identity services while protecting citizens’ data.

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