The federal cabinet has approved key amendments to the National Identity Card (NIC) Rules, 2002, aimed at enhancing both flexibility and security in Pakistan’s identity documentation framework.
One of the most notable changes, proposed by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, grants married women the option to have either their father’s or husband’s name displayed on their CNICs — a move seen as a significant step toward personal autonomy in official identification.
The revised rules also strengthen the issuance process for Child Registration Certificates (Form B). Birth registration with the Union Council will now be a mandatory prerequisite. Additionally, new age-based identification standards will be introduced to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the data collected.
For the first time, Form B documents will carry an expiry date, helping to maintain current and verifiable identity records. Authorities clarified that existing CRCs will remain valid unless required for passport issuance. There will be no changes to the current fee structure.
To prevent identity fraud, the government has warned that legal action will be taken against any instances of misreporting. Furthermore, families will be able to add unregistered members by following a correction and verification process.
These amendments are being hailed as a significant step toward building a more reliable, inclusive, and secure national identity system in Pakistan.
