Latest news with #ComputerizedNationalIdentityCards
Express Tribune
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt denies bias in CNICs verification
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has said that the government has taken robust measures to curb the misuse of identity documents and emphasised that no provincial discrimination occurred during the national verification campaigns of family trees and Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs). Responding to questions from senators during the upper house session the other day, the minister stated that over 5,000 passports issued to individuals falsely claiming Pakistani nationality were detected abroad, mainly in Saudi Arabia, and subsequently surrendered by the holders themselves, admitting they were not Pakistani citizens. Chaudhry said that investigations showed many of these identities were fraudulently inserted into family treeseither by NADRA staff involved in malpractice or by families deliberately including non-nationals for personal motives. He added that such fraudulent additions not only led to the issuance of CNICs but also facilitated the procurement of Pakistani passports for foreign nationals. To curb this misuse, nationwide verification campaigns were conducted by the Ministry of Interior in 2014 and 2019, aiming to cleanse the national database and validate family records. Furthermore, the government has set up a dual verification mechanism involving a district-level committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner and a Zonal Verification Board, which reviews flagged cases referred by law enforcement or intelligence agencies. Talal informed the house that no province-specific action was taken. "NADRA operates on a national basis, and we do not treat any region differently," he said. He acknowledged that the highest instances of identity misuse were observed in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, but emphasized that the issue was not rooted in regional bias, rather in misuse of the system by certain individuals. To enhance transparency, NADRA also launched a public facilitation system, enabling citizens to verify their family trees via phone, and to report any unauthorised individuals linked to their records. Out of the total complaints received, 71,000 cases involved reports of individuals being included in family trees without consent. Chaudhry also confirmed that internal accountability measures have been taken, with 266 NADRA employees dismissed and others penalized following departmental inquiries. He stressed that officers across all ranks, including deputy directors, were held accountable, and criminal proceedings were initiated where necessary. He reassured the House that any case highlighted by parliamentarians would be re-examined and re-verified.
Time Business News
07-07-2025
- General
- Time Business News
Official Guide to NikahNama Registration in Pakistan
Marriage in Pakistan? So, let us discuss something that is vastly more significant than the wedding dress and the cake and that is the NikahNama Registration . It is more than mere formalities before it turns into a practice; it is your legal passport to a good marriage under the eyes of the law. So, how does all this happen in Pakistan, you might wonder, worry no more because we are going to crack it down to you bit by bit. A NikahNama is a legal marriage contract in Pakistan. It's a document that outlines the terms agreed upon by both the bride and groom — from mehr (dower) to residence and maintenance. It's written in Urdu and must be signed by both parties, their guardians (if needed), and witnesses. Think of it as a marriage agreement on steroids — it's got everything from identity info to mutual rights and obligations. Let's be clear: an unregistered NikahNama & Divorce Certificate in Pakistan is like driving without a license. You might be 'married' religiously, but legally? Not quite. Without a registered NikahNama, you're missing out on a bunch of civil protections — from inheritance rights to spousal maintenance and even custody issues down the line. So yes, if you want your marriage recognized by the state, registration is non-negotiable. In Pakistan, only licensed Nikah Registrars can officially register your marriage. These are individuals authorized by the local Union Council and trained in properly maintaining marriage records. Your local Union Council is the main hub for registering marriages. This is where the final NikahNama is submitted and stamped. These are government-appointed officials who fill and verify the NikahNama during your Nikah ceremony. They're your go-to people for guidance on proper documentation. While NADRA doesn't register marriages itself, you'll need your registered NikahNama if you plan to apply for marriage certificates, passports, or family registration certificates later. Now, let's get into the paperwork. Here's what you'll need: No ID, no registration. Both parties must have valid Computerized National Identity Cards. At least two adult Muslim male witnesses are required, and their CNICs are mandatory. Recent passport-size photos of the bride and groom might be requested, depending on local council requirements. If any party was previously married, bring the divorce deed or death certificate of the former spouse. Here's your complete roadmap: This is the religious ceremony performed by a Qazi. Both parties express their consent in the presence of witnesses. The Nikah Registrar fills out the NikahNama on the spot. Double-check the details — names, dates, CNIC numbers, mehr amount, and conditions. The Registrar verifies the information, obtains signatures from all parties, and signs it himself. The Registrar then submits the completed NikahNama to the Union Council, where it is officially recorded. You'll receive a stamped copy, and that's your proof of marriage. The cost isn't sky-high — usually between PKR 500 to PKR 1,500, depending on the city and Union Council. If someone's charging significantly more, ask for an official receipt — or just walk away. Wrong spellings or CNIC numbers Not reading clauses before signing Missing witness signatures Assuming your Nikah is 'automatically' registered — it's not! Double-check every section before finalizing the document. As of now, Pakistan doesn't offer fully online NikahNama registration, but some services help prepare documentation and even conduct online Nikah via video calls — especially for overseas Pakistanis. However, final registration still happens physically at the Union Council. Here's what's at stake: No marriage certificate issuance issuance Legal issues in divorce or inheritance Problems with child legitimacy or passport applications or Risk of denial of spousal rights in court Skipping registration is basically like leaving your marriage in legal limbo. A registered NikahNama secures rights for both partners: Right to mehr Right to residence and maintenance Right to divorce delegation (Talaq-e-Tafweez) if included Legal recognition of the marriage Parental rights in case of children Right to polygamy (if declared with permission of existing wife and Union Council) That is it all folks; a guide to NikahNama registration in Pakistan & Birth Certificate in Pakistan . It is not just a mere practice and it is your safety net as a lawyer. Whether you are about to get married or are already married, then ensure that your NikahNama is registered. It will save you a lot of future trouble both legally and emotionally. Can I register a NikahNama without a Nikah Registrar? No, only an authorized Nikah Registrar can file and submit the NikahNama legally. What if the NikahNama is lost? You can apply for a duplicate from your Union Council with a copy of the original or a written application. Can non-Muslims in Pakistan use a NikahNama? No, non-Muslims follow different marriage laws under the Christian Marriage Act or Hindu Marriage Act. How long does NikahNama registration take? Usually, the process is completed within a few days, though some Union Councils offer same-day processing. Is the NikahNama valid internationally? Not on its own. You'll need a Marriage Registration Certificate from NADRA for use abroad. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Business Recorder
18-06-2025
- Business Recorder
Pakistan govt decides to deactivate over 4.9m mobile phone SIMs
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to deactivate more than 4.9 million mobile phone SIMs that were issued on expired, cancelled, impounded, or deceased persons' Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs), a move aimed at enhancing national security and curbing misuse of mobile networks. Acting on the recommendation of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), the Ministry of Interior has directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to begin the deactivation process in phases, starting later this month. According to a letter issued by the Ministry of Interior to the PTA, NADRA has provided comprehensive data identifying such CNICs along with a schedule for the blocking of associated mobile SIMs, according to a statement issued by NADRA. It says that the process will commence on June 30, 2025, with the deactivation of SIMs registered against CNICs that expired in 2017. In the subsequent months, SIMs linked to CNICs expired in 2018 will be deactivated on July 31, 2025, followed by SIMs linked to CNICs expired in 2019 on August 31, 2025. It says that the process will continue with the deactivation of SIMs registered on CNICs that expired in 2020 on September 30, 2025, those expired in 2021 on October 31, 2025, and those expired in 2022 on November 30, 2025. In the final phase, mobile SIMs registered on CNICs that expired in the years 2023, 2024, and 2025 will be deactivated on December 31, 2025. According to the data shared by NADRA, a total of 4,906,611 such CNICs have been identified. These identity cards have not been reviewed nor have their holders been officially reported as deceased. The deactivation of mobile SIMs linked to these identity cards is being carried out to enhance national security, prevent the potential misuse of mobile networks through inactive or fraudulent identities and ensure the safety and integrity of the country's digital ecosystem. It says citizens should renew their CNICs in a timely manner to avoid any disruption to their mobile services and to ensure their continued inclusion in the national identity system. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
18-06-2025
- Business Recorder
Govt decides to deactivate over 4.9m mobile phone SIMs
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to deactivate more than 4.9 million mobile phone SIMs that were issued on expired, cancelled, impounded, or deceased persons' Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs), a move aimed at enhancing national security and curbing misuse of mobile networks. Acting on the recommendation of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), the Ministry of Interior has directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to begin the deactivation process in phases, starting later this month. According to a letter issued by the Ministry of Interior to the PTA, NADRA has provided comprehensive data identifying such CNICs along with a schedule for the blocking of associated mobile SIMs, according to a statement issued by NADRA. It says that the process will commence on June 30, 2025, with the deactivation of SIMs registered against CNICs that expired in 2017. In the subsequent months, SIMs linked to CNICs expired in 2018 will be deactivated on July 31, 2025, followed by SIMs linked to CNICs expired in 2019 on August 31, 2025. It says that the process will continue with the deactivation of SIMs registered on CNICs that expired in 2020 on September 30, 2025, those expired in 2021 on October 31, 2025, and those expired in 2022 on November 30, 2025. In the final phase, mobile SIMs registered on CNICs that expired in the years 2023, 2024, and 2025 will be deactivated on December 31, 2025. According to the data shared by NADRA, a total of 4,906,611 such CNICs have been identified. These identity cards have not been reviewed nor have their holders been officially reported as deceased. The deactivation of mobile SIMs linked to these identity cards is being carried out to enhance national security, prevent the potential misuse of mobile networks through inactive or fraudulent identities and ensure the safety and integrity of the country's digital ecosystem. It says citizens should renew their CNICs in a timely manner to avoid any disruption to their mobile services and to ensure their continued inclusion in the national identity system. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC seeks reply on blocked CNICs
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has issued a notice to the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and sought a response within 14 days in a writ petition challenging the blocking of an entire family's Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) and the refusal to issue Form-B for their children. A bench comprising Justice Ejaz Anwar and Justice Waqar Ahmad heard the petition filed by Taj Bibi and her family. Representing the petitioners, Advocate Malik Shehbaz Khan informed the court that Taj Bibi and her four children are Pakistani citizens. He explained that when her son, Muhammad Ullah, applied for a CNIC, he was told that his father Sher Rehman's CNIC had been blocked, which prevented the issuance of his identity card. Later, Sher Rehman's CNIC was reactivated, and Muhammad Ullah received his CNIC in 2018. However, when Taj Bibi recently applied for the renewal of her CNIC, she was informed that not only her husband Sher Rehman's CNIC, but the entire family's CNICs had been blocked.
