Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has issued a clarification confirming that previously issued Child Registration Certificates, commonly known as ‘B’ forms, remain valid and have not been cancelled. The announcement addresses circulating rumors suggesting that earlier-issued B-forms had been invalidated, representing another step in NADRA’s ongoing efforts to modernize Pakistan’s identity management system.
NADRA has implemented an updated version of the B-form that includes enhanced security features, such as mandatory fingerprints and photographs for children over 10 years of age. The security upgrade was developed in collaboration with the Immigration and Passport Directorate under Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s supervision, building upon NADRA’s broader initiative to strengthen biometric identification for minors.
For new B-form applications, parents with children aged 10 to 18 must visit a NADRA centre with their child. Additionally, parents applying for a child’s passport using an existing B-form must undergo verification at NADRA facilities. The authority has also introduced digital application options through the PakID mobile app, which is part of NADRA’s broader digital transformation strategy that will see the complete replacement of its web portal with a mobile-first approach by 2025.
The authority emphasized the importance of the Family Registration Certificate (FRC), which serves as official documentation of family structure and lineage. The FRC is required for various administrative purposes, including visa applications, immigration processes, consular services, government employment applications, educational admissions, and legal matters. The document plays a crucial role in NADRA’s comprehensive identity management ecosystem, which includes the recently enhanced Computerized National Identity Cards (CNIC) system.
NADRA has advised citizens to rely exclusively on official channels for information regarding identification documents and registration processes, noting that online rumors about B-form cancellations were unfounded. The clarification supports the authority’s ongoing efforts to modernize and digitize Pakistan’s identity infrastructure while maintaining the security and integrity of existing documentation.
Sources: Hamariweb, Bloom Pakistan, Daily Ausaf
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