ISLAMABAD: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has now enabled citizens to apply for their first CNIC through the PakID mobile application, making the initial stage of the process more convenient.
Every Pakistani aged 18 years or above is eligible to apply for a CNIC, which is essential for accessing key services such as banking, passport issuance, and voting.
The government of Pakistan has introduced a major facilitation measure, allowing citizens to receive their first Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) for free within 15 days.
Responding to a social media query — “Can the first CNIC be made online or is visiting a NADRA office necessary?”—
NADRA explained the procedure:
“Through the NADRA PakID App, you can apply for a fresh CNIC on the basis of either a computerised birth certificate or a B-Form through one of the parents’ PakID accounts.”
However, NADRA clarified that biometric enrolment and the mandatory interview still require a visit to a NADRA office.
For a B-Form (CRC) application, one parent acts as the applicant and the other as the attester.
NADRA added that if one parent is unavailable, the application can still be processed at a NADRA office.
As per the official NADRA Facebook page, NADRA will provide the first CNIC without a chip to citizens within 15 days for free.
NADRA encouraged all citizens who have turned 18 and those who do not yet possess a CNIC to apply without paying any fee. Under Pakistani law, individuals become eligible for an ID card — and therefore eligible to vote in general elections — upon reaching 18 years of age.