In a major step toward enhancing national security and digital identity verification, the Ministry of Interior has announced the rollout of Pakistan’s first centralized facial recognition system, with full-scale implementation set for December 31, 2025.
The directive was issued during a high-level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at NADRA Headquarters in Islamabad, and attended by NADRA Chairman Lt. Gen. Muhammad Munir Afsar.
🔒 A Unified and Secure Biometric Database
To prevent data misuse, all departments have been ordered to cease storing separate biometric records and instead rely on NADRA’s secure, facial recognition-based central database.
This transition will:
- 🧠 Help individuals facing fingerprint verification issues
- 🛡️ Reduce data breaches through centralized storage
- 📲 Support digital ID issuance and verification
“It is critical to shift toward verified and centralized biometric systems to safeguard national data,” – Lt. Gen. Muhammad Munir Afsar, Chairman NADRA
📵 SIMs Linked to Expired CNICs Will Be Blocked
In a parallel initiative to eliminate identity misuse:
- 📆 SIMs issued on expired CNICs (2017 or earlier) will be blocked in phases
- ⚰️ SIMs of deceased individuals or inactive ID holders will also be deactivated
- 📞 Only active CNICs will be allowed to register new mobile connections
These actions are being coordinated with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to ensure enforcement.
🏗️ Expansion of NADRA Services and Infrastructure
🏢 New NADRA Mega Center in Islamabad
Minister Naqvi laid the foundation stone for a 10-storey NADRA Mega Center in I-8, expected to complete by June 2026.
🌍 New Offices Across Pakistan
NADRA services are being extended to 44 underserved tehsils and UCs, including:
- All 31 union councils in Islamabad (by June 30, 2025)
- New regional offices in Multan, Sukkur, and Gwadar
📱 Digital Transformation: PAK ID & Biometric Upgrades
NADRA is leading a wave of digital reforms with:
- Facial recognition and iris scanning for secure ID verification
- The PAK ID app (7M+ downloads), now supporting:
- Digital CNIC issuance
- Pensioner “proof of life”
- Federal arms license renewals
Recent updates to the National Identity Card Rules (2002) include improved child and family registration certificates for fraud prevention and legal clarity.
🤝 Interagency Coordination for Data Integrity
NADRA is working closely with:
- PTA – to block fake or unverified SIMs
- FIA, SBP, SECP – to prevent ID fraud and mismatches
- Other government entities – to implement cross-platform digital verification
🧭 A Roadmap to Smarter Governance
Pakistan’s shift to a centralized biometric system marks a new era in digital governance, public safety, and service delivery. From SIM registration to public sector reforms, the focus remains on identity integrity, security, and accessibility.
📲 Stay updated via the PAK ID App or visit www.nadra.gov.pk for service updates and digital registration tools.
