NADRA warns millions of CNICs at risk of blocking

National Database and Registration Authority has urged citizens to renew their Computerized National Identity Cards before they expire, warning that millions of cards are at risk of becoming invalid.

The authority said that under the law, identity documents are issued for a limited time and it is the responsibility of every adult to renew them on time. If not renewed, people may face problems with essential services such as bank accounts, mobile SIMs, and other verification-based facilities.

NADRA also said that expired CNICs can stop people from receiving benefits from government and welfare programs like the Benazir Income Support Programme, fuel subsidies, and services like property and vehicle transfers, causing serious inconvenience.

According to official data, about 27.4 million CNICs, 2.3 million overseas cards, 11.65 million B-forms, and 229,000 Juvenile Cards have expired and are still not renewed. NADRA has already sent SMS alerts to citizens, including parents whose children have turned 18 but have not applied for their CNIC yet.

The authority also referred to instructions from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, which said on April 8 that valid CNICs are required for uninterrupted mobile services. SIMs registered on expired CNICs or in the names of deceased people may be blocked at any time.

At present, more than 8.1 million SIMs are active on about 4.5 million CNICs that need renewal, including over 223,000 CNICs that have been expired for more than 10 years. Citizens have been advised to renew their CNICs quickly and transfer around 1.5 million SIMs that are still registered under deceased relatives to their own names.

NADRA has asked all citizens to fulfill their legal responsibility by renewing their identity documents without delay and ensuring that everyone above 18 years of age has a CNIC. Renewal services are available at NADRA centers, through the Pak-ID mobile app, and at e-Sahulat franchises.

The authority warned that if people do not improve the renewal rate, extra fees and penalties may be introduced in the next fiscal year after June for late renewals.