Nearly 195,000 CNICs Blocked in Three Years, Interior Ministry Tells Senate

Islamabad

Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior has informed the Senate that nearly 195,000 Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) were blocked across the country over the past three years, with Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recording the highest numbers, according to official records presented in the upper house.

The data shows that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa topped the list, where authorities blocked 72,703 CNICs, followed by Sindh, where 49,666 identity cards were suspended during the same period.

In Punjab, officials took action against 29,852 CNICs, while 34,990 cards were blocked in Balochistan. The federal capital, Islamabad, recorded 5,731 blocked identity cards, the ministry said.

Legal Action and Enforcement Measures

The Interior Ministry revealed that 130,885 CNICs were blocked under Section 18 of the NADRA Ordinance, which allows authorities to suspend identity cards over verification concerns and suspected irregularities.

Additionally, 64,225 identity cards were blocked following court orders, reflecting ongoing legal proceedings and enforcement actions related to identity verification and documentation irregularities.

Restoration and Pending Investigations

Officials informed lawmakers that authorities restored more than 46,000 previously blocked CNICs after verification and review processes were completed.

However, over 148,000 identity cards remain blocked, with investigations and verification inquiries still underway.

Regional Overview

Outside Pakistan’s provinces, authorities also reported enforcement actions in the country’s administered regions. According to the ministry, 1,410 CNICs were blocked in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while 758 identity cards were suspended in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Reasons Behind CNIC Blockage

The Ministry of Interior stated that the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) blocked these identity cards due to incorrect or misleading information, documentation irregularities, and failure of cardholders to pursue or complete verification cases.

Strengthening Identity Verification

Officials said the actions are part of broader efforts to strengthen national identity verification systems, prevent fraud, and enhance security oversight. Authorities emphasised that affected individuals are given opportunities to appeal and restore their CNICs after successful verification.