The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) announced that it would issue Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) to those seeking first-time registration without a birth certificate, a statement said on Sunday.

The time-bound facility for first-time registration would be valid until December 31, 2026, and would be subject to strict verification conditions.

“This facilitation has been approved under Section 5(1)(b) and Section 20 of the Nadra Ordinance, 2000, read with Rule 8 of the Nadra NIC Rules, 2002, which permit alternative verification mechanisms in specified categories”, the statement said.

It added that the CNIC issuance under this framework would be allowed only where identity was established through NADRA’s existing records and mandatory biometric verification of already registered immediate family members.

Per the statement, for a married woman aged 18 years or above, a valid local government Nikah Nama, a valid CNIC or National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) of either parent, a valid CNIC or NICOP of the husband, and biometric verification of one parent and the husband would be mandatory.

For an unmarried female aged 18 years or above, the husband-related condition would not apply; however, a valid CNIC or NICOP of either parent and biometric verification of one parent would be mandatory, it stated.

For a male applicant above 24 years of age, the statement said, issuance would be allowed only where either parent holds a valid CNIC or NICOP, and at least one sibling also holds a valid CNIC or NICOP, with mandatory biometric verification of one parent.

However, it added that where both parents or the husband were deceased, but their records existed within Nadra, the authorised officer might grant exemption from biometric verification, subject to record-based linkage and satisfactory verification checks.

“To further facilitate applicants, non-smart CNICs applied for under the normal category shall be issued under this framework without any fee,” Nadra said.

Once recorded in the National Identity System, parentage, date of birth and place of birth shall be irrevocable and non-changeable, it warned.

The statement, therefore, advised citizens to ensure the accuracy of all information at the time of registration.

Eligible applicants were also urged to approach the nearest Nadra registration centre to avail time-bound facilitation.