NADRA Urges Citizens to Cancel Deceased CNICs

ISLAMABAD – The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has urged all citizens to cancel CNICs of deceased family members. The authority said this step will help update records and prevent misuse of identity documents. NADRA advised citizens to visit the nearest Registration Centre or use the Pak ID mobile app to update family records quickly. The advisory comes after reports showed many CNICs of deceased people remain active in official records.

According to NADRA, in March 2025, over seven million deaths were registered in union councils. However, the CNICs of these deceased individuals were not canceled in NADRA’s system. Officials warned that leaving these IDs active could lead to identity fraud or financial misuse. They emphasized that families must act promptly to ensure records reflect accurate information.

To cancel a CNIC, families first need an official computerized death certificate from the Union Council. Next, they should visit the nearest NADRA Registration Centre (NRC) with all required documents. These include all original ID cards of the deceased and a relevant affidavit or undertaking as specified by NADRA. The process is designed to be simple and secure for family members.

At the NRC, a family member such as a spouse, parent, or child fills out the cancellation application form. They then submit the form along with the death certificate and original ID cards. NADRA staff will physically destroy the deceased’s ID cards to prevent misuse. This ensures that no unauthorized person can use the identity of the deceased.

After completing the process, NADRA issues a cancellation certificate to the family. This certificate serves as proof that the CNICs of the deceased are officially canceled. NADRA urged citizens to complete this process as soon as possible to protect family identities and maintain accurate national records.

READ MORE: SHC Issues Arrest Warrant Over NADRA CNIC Delay

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday issued a bailable arrest warrant for NADRA’s Assistant Director of Verification. The court acted over the non-issuance of a CNIC to Karachi resident Maulana Abdul Bashar, despite repeated applications. Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro presided over the hearing and expressed strong disapproval of NADRA’s inaction. The court questioned why the CNIC had not been issued even though all documents were submitted. The judge said the applicant had been ignored since 2004 without a valid reason.

Justice Kalhoro sharply criticized NADRA officials for their bureaucratic negligence and failure to serve the public. He asked if NADRA had formed its own kingdom and said it seemed they were running a “state within a state.” The court noted that birth certificates for all 11 of Abdul Bashar’s children had already been issued. However, NADRA still refused to process the father’s CNIC application. No claim of fake documents had been made by NADRA in their response.