Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has launched the country’s first dematerialized ID card system, allowing citizens to store their identification documents digitally on smartphones through an enhanced version of the Pak ID mobile app. The initiative expands upon NADRA’s previous digital identity initiatives, which began with visa processing services in 2022.
The upgraded Pak ID application now includes digital ID storage capabilities and facial verification features, enabling users to maintain their identity credentials electronically and authenticate themselves using biometric technology. The enhancement marks a significant advancement from the app’s original functionality, which was primarily focused on visa-on-arrival services for international visitors from 120 eligible countries.
Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, Mohsin Raza Naqvi, emphasized the significance of this digital transformation, noting NADRA’s extensive service network that reaches remote areas of Pakistan and serves overseas citizens. The minister highlighted the organization’s role in strengthening national security and public administration through enhanced identity management.
The implementation is part of the World Bank-funded Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP), with a comprehensive digital verification system scheduled for pilot launch on August 14, 2025. Citizens can access their digital identification by downloading the Pak ID app and following the designated menu options to store their Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) electronically. The digital initiative follows NADRA’s recent introduction of home delivery services for physical CNICs in certain regions.
The digital identity initiative comes as NADRA celebrates its Silver Jubilee and represents a significant step in the organization’s mission to advance legal identity management and national database integration. The system aims to streamline identity verification processes while maintaining security standards for various government and private sector services. The launch also strengthens NADRA’s broader efforts to modernize Pakistan’s identity infrastructure, including recent initiatives to update death records and enhance the security features of identity documents.
Sources: Pak Observer
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