NADRA to Launch New Registration Centers in Karachi

The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has revealed plans to inaugurate three new major registration hubs in Karachi. This initiative aims to alleviate pressure on current facilities and enhance the efficiency of service delivery to the public.

Nadra’s representative, Syed Shabahat Ali, informed reporters that the upcoming centers will be strategically located in Malir Cantonment, Malir, and Surjani Town to serve a broader segment of the population.

He further stated that modifications have been introduced to the regulations governing national identity registration to address and resolve common public issues. He specified that certificates for vital records like birth, death, marriage, and divorce are presently being administered by Union Councils.

Updates to Child Registration Process
  • Photographs of children are now included on the ‘B-Form.’
  • Child Registration Certificates (CRCs) will continue to be issued without a photograph for children under three years old, adhering to the established procedure.
  • CRCs for children older than three will feature a photograph and biometric information, remaining valid until the child reaches the age of 10.
  • A renewed CRC, incorporating both a photograph and biometric data, will be mandatory for individuals between 10 and 18 years of age.

The spokesperson clarified that previously issued B-Forms retain their validity; however, the updated CRCs are a prerequisite for passport applications. Passports can no longer be processed with the older B-Form. Going forward, each child will be issued an individual B-Form.

Family Details and FRC Updates
  • Nadra’s digital application now offers complete family details.
  • Errors or omissions found in the Family Registration Certificate (FRC) can be corrected through the application.

An opportunity is being extended to those who have unlawfully acquired Nadra identity cards to surrender them willingly, without immediate legal repercussions.

The FRC has been formally recognized as a legitimate document, acceptable in inheritance matters and other significant legal contexts. It will be classified based on diverse family compositions. Married women now have the flexibility to choose between their father’s or husband’s name on their identification cards.

Shabahat Ali also conveyed that investigations are actively underway concerning employees implicated in corrupt activities, which includes former chairpersons of Nadra. He emphasized the organization’s unwavering commitment to zero tolerance for corruption.