The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced a new procedure for issuing B-Forms for children, under which each child will now receive three separate B-Forms at different stages of their early life.
According to NADRA, the only official agency that issues identity cards and other identification documents to Pakistani nationals, both locally and internationally, the new system will make child registration simple and maintain proper record-keeping.
According to new procedure
First B-Form: Given at birth without a photograph, part of the child until the age of three years.
Second B-Form: Since it is issued after the child attains the age of three and it contains a photograph, it is valid until the child attains the age of 10 years.
Third B-Form: Issued after the child turns 10, with a photograph, iris scan, and fingerprints, valid until the child reaches 18 years of age.
It is also recommended that parents should not fail to register their child within one month of birth in the respective Union Council and should get the first B-Form issued by NADRA.
To renew after the period of three years, parents may visit the closest NADRA office in the company of the child or through the Pak ID mobile application to issue the new B-Form at home.
Earlier, a key government bill was approved by the Senate Standing Committee on Interior. The bill granted NADRA enhanced powers to regulate identity documents.
This development will help strengthen the national security mechanisms of Pakistan.
The reports suggest that on the direction of Interior Ministry, the law minister Azam Nazeer presented the bill in senate.
According to the proposed amendment, NADRA will be able to block any Computerised National Identity Card for a period of up to 60 days.
Interior Ministry officials said that identity cards are highly sensitive documents linked directly to economic stability and national security.
To reduce its misuse of it, it is essential to grant NADRA enhanced regulatory powers.
It was also further highlighted by the ministry that in the absence of clear legal provisions, operational challenges are being faced by NADRA in taking timely action.
Legal loopholes are exploited by the criminal element to delay or avoid proceedings.
The proposed change will enable NADRA to act more decisively in cases involving fraudulent identity records or suspicious activities.
The move authorities believe will enhance enforcement capacity and prevent misuse of national identification systems.
Other than this, to create things easier for residents NADRA expanded access to its selected services. They did this by extending them to an additional 1000 e-sahulat franchises across Pakistan.
