For many people in Pakistan, updating a National Identity Card (CNIC) once meant long queues and multiple visits to government offices. The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has facilitated its customers by launching a mobile phone app, the ‘Pak-ID’.
NADRA has released a complete guideline on how Pakistani citizens can now modify their smart cards by using their smartphones. The process is designed to be straightforward, focusing on ease of use for a general audience.
Getting Started
To begin, users must download the Pak-ID app on their mobiles and register an account using their existing CNIC number, email, and mobile phone. Once logged in, the app’s main dashboard will appear.
Here, the users will select the “ID Card” option under the “ID Documents” section to initiate a modification request.
The Application Process
The app guides the user through several key steps. After selecting “Modification,” applicants can update personal details such as their address, family details, or photograph.
One of the app’s most significant features is the ability to capture a “live” portrait photo. And fingerprints using the phone’s camera, removing the need to be physically present at the facilitation centres.
Verification and Delivery
A major step of the modification involves biometric verification. The app allows for “blood relative” attestation, where a family member, such as a parent can verify the application using their own fingerprints. This step is mandatory before an application can be finalised.
Once the information is reviewed and the fee is paid through a debit or credit card, the application is submitted for processing.
Users can track their progress in real-time through an in-app inbox. Once approved, the new smart card is delivered directly to the applicant’s doorstep, completing a process that was once entirely manual.
By prioritising a digital-first approach, NADRA aims to make identity management easier and accessible, particularly for those in rural areas or living abroad.
Also Read: Vehicle sale, purchase easy now as NADRA launches major facility
