Nadra Cancels 4.2 Million CNICs

Nadra has cancelled around 4.2 million Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) of individuals recorded as deceased, a significant move announced on March 11, 2026. This cancellation is part of a nationwide reconciliation of civil registration records with the national citizen database.

The initiative aims to enhance the integrity of Pakistan’s identity system and prevent potential misuse or fraudulent activity that could arise from identity records remaining active after death. Nadra has waived the cancellation fee and removed the requirement of depositing the CNIC of the deceased to encourage timely cancellations.

Approximately 3 million CNICs have already been voluntarily cancelled by families of deceased persons, reflecting a proactive response to Nadra’s outreach efforts. Nadra has undertaken a nationwide reconciliation of civil registration records with the national citizen database to ensure the accuracy and integrity of Pakistan’s identity system.

In addition to the CNIC cancellations, Nadra has initiated a nationwide outreach effort to strengthen birth registration linkage with the national identity system. The agency is sending SMS notifications to parents of approximately 14 million children whose births have been registered but not yet linked to Nadra.

Furthermore, Nadra plans to introduce the facility for the issuance of Child Registration Certificates (CRC/B-Forms) through its NADRA e-Sahulat franchise network, making the process more accessible for families.

Officials from Nadra have emphasized the importance of these measures, stating, “To safeguard the integrity of the national database and prevent any potential misuse or fraudulent activity arising from identity records remaining active after death, Nadra therefore proceeded with the cancellation of such CNICs following verification through civil registration records.”

This comprehensive approach not only addresses the issue of deceased individuals’ CNICs but also aims to improve the overall efficiency and reliability of Pakistan’s civil registration systems.

As Nadra continues to implement these changes, the agency’s efforts reflect a commitment to maintaining a secure and accurate national identity framework.