NADRA issues public advisory for overseas Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) released a new public advisory for overseas Pakistanis, saying citizens should not depend on unapproved consultants, agents, or third-party dealers when dealing with identity documents and online applications.

As per NADRA, no private person, firm, or overseas service provider has been authorized to file applications, gather payments, or handle computerized identity documents for NADRA anywhere in the world.

NADRA’s officials also urged Pakistanis living abroad to stick with only the official NADRA digital platforms, since this is the safer way to avoid fraud, identity theft, and those financial traps that keep showing up more and more.

This advisory is coming at a time when there are increasing worries about bogus websites and social media pages that pretend to be NADRA, and then try to lure overseas Pakistanis who are looking for services tied to CNIC, NICOP, passports, and family registration papers.

NADRA made it clear that any genuine online identity help is available directly via its official NADRA website and the Pak Identity portal, as well as the mobile application, so overseas Pakistanis can request documents like CNIC, NICOP, POC, CRC, and FRC from home without looping in middlemen.

The authority also said people should check that every NADRA-related website carries the official “.gov.pk” domain before entering any personal details or making online payments.

NADRA recently shared a domain authenticity guideline, basically stressing that only websites functioning under the nadra.gov.pk domain are officially sanctioned.

Fake NADRA Websites Targeting Overseas Pakistanis

This warning follows multiple recent incidents where fraudulent websites were presented as NADRA portals. Authorities had earlier flagged fake visa and identity service websites.

NADRA reiterated that overseas Pakistanis should submit applications only through its official digital services, like the Pak Identity mobile app, or through authorized NADRA counters and desks working at Pakistani embassies and consulates abroad.

The authority also nudged people to get help via official customer support channels instead of trusting social media advertisements or unofficial agents.

As per NADRA, information about documentation requirements, application status, complaints, and even technical support is accessible through its helpline and email support services.

Officials additionally advised citizens to avoid clicking on suspicious links that arrive by email, WhatsApp messages, or SMS notifications that seem to claim they represent NADRA services.