Has NADRA increased CNIC fees in Pakistan? Check latest update here

ISLAMABAD: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has indicated that there may be a need to increase the ID card fee due to funding issues to expand its network of offices, here on Tuesday.

As per the media reports, while the authority has opened new offices, many citizens still face long waits to renew or update their Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs), indicating that the expansion has created access issues. has not been fully resolved.

NADRA Chairman Lt. Gen. Muhammad Munir Afsar recently revealed in the National Assembly Standing Committee meeting that there are no NADRA offices in 61 tehsils of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

During the meeting presided over by Raja Khurram Nawaz, the officer explained that CNIC fees would need to be increased to expand the services, as NADRA is self-funded and former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s executive order to make CNICs free first. It has not increased the fee since then.

Some members of the committee expressed concern over the financial burden of ID card on the citizens and suggested to waive ID card fee first. Additionally, security concerns were discussed, including reports of fake identity cards held by Afghan nationals. NADRA officials noted ongoing efforts to monitor data leaks and unauthorized CNIC issuance.