Latest news with #CNICs
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Minister lays foundation stone of NADRA Mega Centre
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday laid the foundation stone of a 10-storey National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Mega Centre, with construction expected to be completed by June 2026. Later, while chairing a high-level meeting at NADRA headquarters, the minister approved a nationwide crackdown on SIM cards issued against expired Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs). According to an official statement issued here, the decision was made to strengthen digital identity verification and curb misuse of identification documents. In the first phase, SIM cards linked to CNICs issued in 2017 or earlier will be blocked. In subsequent phases, the policy will be extended to deactivated CNICs issued after 2017, ensuring that only valid and active identity cards are used for mobile phone registrations. During the briefing, NADRA Chairman Lt Gen Muhammad Munir Afsar informed the meeting that, in collaboration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), SIM cards registered under the names of deceased individuals or holders of expired CNICs are already being deactivated. He raised concerns over the widespread storage of citizens' biometric data by various government departments and private service providers, warning that such practices pose significant risks of data theft and misuse. To address this issue, the chairman recommended the nationwide adoption of facial recognition technology — particularly beneficial for citizens facing difficulties with fingerprint verification. The minister endorsed the proposal and announced that the Ministry of Interior would issue directives to all relevant institutions to stop storing biometric data separately. He further confirmed that facial recognition technology will be implemented nationwide by December 31, 2025, under the ministry's direct supervision. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
NADRA keeps the deceased alive in its records
Long after families have fulfilled the last rites of their deceased loved ones, many remain alive in NADRA's official records thanks to delays in the cancellation of their national identity cards, which create unnecessary inconveniences for the surviving kin. One such citizen was Majid Hussain, who was facing difficulties selling his late father's property. "When I tried selling the shops registered under my father's name, a person claimed that the shops were mortgaged for a loan of Rs5 million. He even presented forged documents. Despite a case filed in court, the issue remains unresolved since my father's ID card was not cancelled in NADRA's records," lamented Hussain. Similarly, Nabeela Kausar faced issues updating her surname on her CNIC since her father's death was not registered with NADRA. "I visited the NADRA office to replace my father's name with my husband's name but was asked to provide my parents' original CNICs. When I informed them of my parents' death, the officials instructed me to cancel their CNICs before updating my record," claimed Kausar. According to the National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA), despite the registration of over 100 million deaths in the provincial civil registration and management system, the identity cards of these individuals have not been cancelled in NADRA's records, instigating a host of legal and administrative problems for the kin of the deceased. Conversely, the failure to cancel the deceased individuals' CNICs has led to irregularities in various welfare programs as well. In the Punjab Government's Ramadan Nigahban Program, hundreds of cheques worth Rs10,000 were issued in the name of individuals who had passed away, depriving many families from receiving aid. Legal experts believe that the failure to cancel a deceased person's identity card can create a host of problems for their heirs. While this can prevent many legal heirs from obtaining property, it can also enable forgery, allowing unauthorized individuals to seize properties or withdraw money from bank accounts. Furthermore, if a government employee's identity card is not canceled, their pension and other benefits can be obtained illegally. In addition, there is a risk of electoral irregularities due to the inclusion of deceased persons in the voter list in the records of the Election Commission. Senior lawyer Altamash Saeed informed this correspondent that NADRA's records were linked to various government databases. "If a person's death is not registered, it can create complications in immigration and other legal matters. Hence, NADRA should empower local union councils to directly update birth, death, marriage, and divorce records in NADRA's database. This would help citizens avoid unnecessary difficulties," opined Saeed. Reportedly, NADRA has introduced an SMS notification system to involve citizens in the posthumous process, informing close relatives of deceased individuals to visit NADRA registration centers to cancel their identity cards. A public awareness campaign is also underway, utilizing social media, print, and electronic media to disseminate this information. Under new regulations, the parents, spouse, children, siblings, or other close relatives listed in the deceased's family record can cancel the ID card. The required documents include the original ID card or its number, a computerized death certificate issued by the Union Council, Cantonment Board, or Tehsil Municipal Office, and a burial certificate. "Canceling an identity card is free of charge, and the cancellation certificate is issued within seven days. To prevent misuse, the original identity card is destroyed at the NADRA registration center. Authorities urge citizens to take timely action to prevent potential forgery and ensure the accuracy of government records," claimed officials from NADRA.
Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Three held in fake ID, visa scam
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)'s Counter-Terrorism Wing Islamabad claimed on Thursday to have arrested three more suspects who were involved in issuing fake Pakistani identity cards, machine-readable passports, and Saudi work visas to Afghan nationals and other foreigners. The Agency has so far arrested five members of the organised gang. Muhammad Alam Zeb, Asif Khan, and Haroon Rashid were arrested on a tip-off. The gang was found to be facilitating Afghan nationals in fraudulently obtaining Pakistani CNICs, passports, and Saudi work visas. Alam Zeb was involved in issuing Saudi work visas on Pakistani passports to 31 Afghan nationals, Asif Khan to four Afghan nationals, and Haroon Rashid to 58 Afghan nationals. Two other suspects, Muhammad Ishaq Khan and Syed Ehsan Shah, were arrested on Tuesday last. Investigations revealed that Ehsan Shah facilitated 580 Afghan nationals, while Ishaq Khan arranged Saudi work visas for 22 Afghan nationals, all using Pakistani passports. In total, these suspects have been accused of fraudulently processing Saudi work visas for 693 Afghan nationals using Pakistani documents.
Express Tribune
21-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Two held in Afghan visa fraud case
The Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) Counter-Terrorism Wing Islamabad on Wednesday arrested two people during a crackdown on gangs involved in issuing fake Pakistani identity cards, machine-readable passports, and Saudi Arabian work visas to Afghan nationals and other foreigners. The suspects, who belong to an international organised network, were taken into custody following an intelligence-based information. Further investigations are ongoing. The involvement of officials from the Bureau of Immigration & Passports and National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) will be determined during the course of the inquiry. FIA officials conducted raids at various locations in Islamabad based on intelligence reports and apprehended key suspects, Muhammad Ishaq Khan and Syed Ehsan Shah. Authorities revealed that the organised network was found to be facilitating Afghan nationals in obtaining fake Pakistani CNICs, machine-readable passports, and Saudi work visas. Investigations uncovered that suspect Syed Ehsan Shah was involved in issuing Saudi work visas on Pakistani passports to 580 Afghan nationals, while Muhammad Ishaq Khan facilitated the issuance of similar visas to 22 Afghan nationals. The possible involvement of government officials from the Immigration & Passport Office and NADRA is currently under investigation. Raids are ongoing to arrest other members of the network.
Express Tribune
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Curbing child marriage
Listen to article In a long-overdue move, the National Assembly has passed a landmark bill aimed at curbing child marriage and forced conversions - two deeply intertwined abuses that have quietly devastated countless lives across Pakistan. Tabled by MNA Sharmila Faruqui of the PPP and passed unanimously on Friday, the bill represents a rare moment of political unity and moral clarity in a legislative environment often hampered by indecision and appeasement. Following the lead of Sindh and Punjab, the Islamabad Capital Territory has now adopted bold legal provisions that set 18 as the minimum legal age for marriage for both girls and boys. The bill mandates that no Nikkah registrar may solemnise a marriage without verifying the CNICs of both individuals. Non-compliance — by parents, registrars or facilitators — will result in penalties of up to one year in prison and a fine of Rs100,000. Crucially, the legislation also repeals the outdated Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929 — a colonial-era statute that has long failed to protect vulnerable children and has often served as a smokescreen for inaction. For decades, entire networks operating under religious and feudal cover have abducted underage girls, producing fabricated evidence of age and consent. This new law signals a critical shift. However, legislation alone is not enough. The federal government must now follow through with robust implementation by training Nikkah registrars, launching public awareness campaigns and maintaining zero tolerance for violations. Unfortunately, K-P and Balochistan still operate under antiquated frameworks that permit the marriage of girls as young as 16. Legal uniformity across all provinces is essential. It is time to ensure that every child in Pakistan, regardless of geography, is protected under uniform laws and afforded the same right to a safe and dignified childhood.
