ISLAMABAD – The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has urged all citizens to renew their expired Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) promptly. The authority warned that millions of identity cards are at risk of becoming invalid.
NADRA stated that under Pakistani law, CNICs are issued for a fixed period. Citizens must ensure timely renewal to maintain access to essential services. Expired CNICs can disrupt bank accounts, mobile SIMs, and verification-based services.
The authority highlighted that expired CNICs may also prevent beneficiaries from accessing government programs, including the Benazir Income Support Programme and fuel subsidies. Services such as property and vehicle transfers may also be affected.
According to NADRA data, around 27.475 million CNICs and 2.309 million overseas cards are currently expired. In addition, 11.65 million Child Registration Certificates (B-forms) and 229,000 Juvenile Cards remain unrenewed. The authority has sent SMS reminders to affected citizens, including parents of children who have reached 18 but have not applied for their first CNIC.
NADRA emphasized the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) directives issued on April 8. Active CNICs are mandatory for uninterrupted mobile services. SIMs registered to expired or deceased CNICs may be blocked at any time. Currently, over 8.1 million SIMs are active on 4.5 million CNICs requiring renewal. More than 223,000 CNICs have been expired for over 10 years.
Citizens are encouraged to renew their CNICs through NADRA registration centers, the Pak-ID mobile application, or NADRA e-Sahulat franchises. Approximately 1.5 million SIMs still registered in the names of deceased individuals should be transferred promptly.
In other news read more about NADRA introduces new biometric system and expands services across Pakistan
NADRA warned that if renewal rates do not improve, additional fees and penalties may be applied after June in the next fiscal year. The authority stressed that renewing CNICs is a legal responsibility and essential to avoid disruption in services.
