Digital CNIC Legally Equal to Physical Card, NADRA Clarifies

Islamabad:

National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has clarified that the Digital CNIC available through its PakID platform holds the same legal status as a physical identity card, urging government departments and service providers to stop insisting on physical copies.

In a statement, NADRA said it had observed that some offices and service providers were refusing to accept DigitalID or dematerialised versions of CNIC, NICOP, or POC, instead demanding a physical card or photocopy from citizens. The authority termed the practice inconsistent with Pakistan’s legal framework governing digital identity credentials.

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

According to Regulation 9, any digital identity credential issued or authorised by NADRA carries the same legal validity, status, and evidentiary value as a physical identity document. Meanwhile, Regulation 10 requires all public authorities, regulated entities, and organisations to accept NADRA-issued digital credentials as valid proof of identity.

NADRA emphasized that the DigitalID or dematerialised CNIC, NICOP, or POC must therefore be accepted wherever identity verification is required, placing them on equal legal footing with the traditional physical CNIC.

The authority added that wider use of digital identity credentials would reduce the need for CNIC photocopies, helping protect citizens’ personal data and lowering the risk of identity misuse.

NADRA has advised government departments, financial institutions, telecom operators, and other service providers to ensure compliance with the regulations and issue clear instructions to their field offices.

Citizens facing refusal to accept their digital CNICs have been encouraged to file complaints through NADRA’s official channels, so appropriate legal action can be taken.

The authority reiterated its commitment to secure, convenient, and technology-driven identity services while safeguarding citizens’ personal data.