ISLAMABAD: Citizens can now access district-level birth and de­­ath records and file right to information requests online through a verified login, as the National Da­­tabase and Registration Autho­rity (Nadra) on Friday unveiled a new digital platform in a major step towards modernising its website.

The new portal, https://www.nadra.gov.pk, replaces a text-heavy site that users and digital rights groups had criticised as outdated and hard to navigate.

Nadra, which holds biometric data for over 240 million citizens, said the redesign groups services, statistics and support “in a structured and user-centric manner”.

For the first time, Nadra’s Geo­spatially Referenced Demographic Information System, or nGRIDS, is public. The tool displays registration data on interactive maps and lets users compare district-level cen­­sus figures with Nadra’s own records.

New digital platform groups together services, data in one place

A map gallery offers downloadable thematic maps for research and planning — data previously restric­ted to government departments.

Key identity documents — inclu­ding Computerised National Iden­tity Cards for residents, National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakis­tanis, and Family Registration Certificates — are now categorised by user type to cut search time for local and overseas users.

The site also consolidates verification services used by banks, telecom firms and government dep­a­r­tments into a single section. A de­­dicated RTI portal now lets citizens file information requests, track them online and receive responses within the stipulated timelines, with privacy safeguards listed.

Customer support has been exp­anded to include a 24/7 call centre, automated IVR system and a complaint tracker with public performance metrics. The careers portal now requires login through Nadra’s Pak ID app, which the authority says will curb fake applications.

In a statement, Nadra said the comprehensive, integrated digital platform tailored to citizens’ needs. The initiative aims to make access to services, information and data more user-friendly. The revamped website highlights Nadra’s evolving role in the country’s identity management system, showcasing the country’s transition from traditional paper-based processes to one of the world’s largest biometric identity systems.

Nadra’s careers portal has also been upgraded to meet modern re­­quirements, offering verified login through Pak ID, a streamlined application process and improved access to job opportunities.

The website also reflects Nadra’s extensive network in the country and abroad, including registration centres, mobile units, and services for overseas Pakistanis. This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing digital accessibility, tra­nsparency and public service delivery, reinforcing the authority’s commitment to providing secure, effici­ent and citizen-centric identity services through modern technology.

“Digital accessibility and transparency are central to our service delivery,” a Nadra spokesperson said. The authority has faced criticism over data security in the past. Two major leaks of citizen data were reported in 2021 and 2023. With over three million monthly visits, the site is Nadra’s main public interface. Digital rights advocates say the test will be whether complaint resolution times and data accuracy improve under the new system.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2026