Digital ID cards carry same legal status as physical IDs, clarifies NADRA
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The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) on Friday clarified that digital identity documents issued through its PakID platform carry the same legal status as physical identity cards.
NADRA spokesperson Shahbaz Ali noted that some authorities have been requesting citizens to submit a physical copy or photocopy of their Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) instead of accepting the digital version. He stressed that such practices violate existing legal and regulatory frameworks.
Under the National Database and Registration Authority Ordinance 2000 and the Digital Identity Regulations 2025, digital identity credentials have the same legal validity, credibility, and evidentiary value as physical CNICs, NICOPs, or POCs. Government departments, regulated institutions, and other organisations are required to accept NADRA-issued digital IDs as valid proof of identity.
The digital identity regulations, established under the NADRA Ordinance, specifically grant digital IDs full legal recognition:
Regulation 9: Digital identity credentials issued or authorized by NADRA carry the same legal validity, credibility, and evidentiary value as physical identity documents.
Regulation 10: All government departments, regulated institutions, and organisations requesting proof of identity must accept NADRA-issued digital credentials as valid identification.
NADRA said the rules recognise digital IDs as valid proof of identity, reduce the need for unnecessary photocopies, and help protect citizens’ personal data while preventing misuse of identity information.
The authority urged all government departments, public and financial institutions, and telecom operators to fully comply with these regulations. Citizens can lodge complaints through NADRA’s official complaints system if any office or institution fails to accept digital IDs.