ISLAMABAD: The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has cancelled around 4.2 million Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) belonging to individuals who had already been marked as deceased in the provincial civil registration systems.

In many cases, while deaths had been formally registered by families, the next of kin had not subsequently applied for cancellation of the CNICs of the deceased, resulting in a discrepancy between civil registration records and the national identity database.

In order to safeguard the integrity of the national database and prevent any potential misuse or fraudulent activity, Nadra proceeded with the cancellation of such CNICs following verification through civil registration records.

In a statement Nadra said it recognises that in rare instances a death may have been reported erroneously or fraudulently by a relative. In such cases, if any citizen faces difficulty due to cancellation of their CNIC after being marked deceased, they may visit the nearest Nadra registration centre. Upon biometric verification, the CNIC will be restored immediately without any fee.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2026