NADRA halts CNIC services at post offices nationwide: Here’s why!

ISLAMABAD: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has officially discontinued all computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) related services offered at General Post Offices (GPOs) across Pakistan, due to public backlash and limited awareness.

As part of a government-backed initiative to make CNIC services more accessible, initially launched three years ago, NADRA had set up dedicated counters inside post offices to handle tasks such as CNIC renewal, change of address, and updating of marital status. The program was introduced in collaboration with Pakistan Post under a 10-year agreement.

However, NADRA has now ordered the complete closure of all these counters across the country. Staff have been directed to return all supplies and deposit the collected fees, while the processed CNICs should be handed over to the applicants before the process of cancellation begins.

Confirming the development, a NADRA spokesperson said:

“Due to extremely low number of applicants at post office counters, the facilities have been closed. The equipment will be shifted to union councils in the coming financial year to decentralize service delivery.”

Despite offering key services, the initiative has failed to gain traction. Officials attribute the failure to poor public outreach and awareness, noting that many citizens were not aware that such facilities existed at their local post offices.

In Karachi alone, counters at 10 major post offices, including those at I.I. Chandrigarh Road and Saddar GPO, have already closed. These outlets had helped reduce the pressure on NADRA centers by reducing queues and service backlogs.

Overall, the closure affects about 83 counters operating across the country, including in all four provinces and Azad Kashmir.

Sources revealed that NADRA and Pakistan Post had initially planned to launch awareness campaigns through social media and other platforms but these efforts were never fully implemented.

NADRA now plans to redeploy the recovered devices in union councils, where authorities aim to provide decentralized, more accessible CNIC services.