NADRA Launches New QR Code-Based Identity Card in Pakistan

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced a new chipless National Identity Card (NIC) that uses a secure QR code for identity verification. The new card replaces the microchip-based identity card that has been in use for around 14 years. The card is being produced locally by the National Security Printing Company (NSPC) in Karachi. NADRA said the card was developed according to its technical and security requirements. The new identity card does not contain a physical chip. Instead, it features a secure QR code that can be scanned and verified using a smartphone through Nadra's Pak Identity (PakID) mobile application. The QR code will contain the cardholder's personal information and photograph. According to NADRA, the new system will make identity verification easier for different institutions. It can also help organisations enter names, addresses and other identity details into their systems more accurately and reduce data entry mistakes. The new card will include several additional details. These include a family number and symbols identifying persons with disabilities, senior citizens, organ donors and citizens of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The cardholder's name and address will also be printed in both Urdu and English. NADRA has also updated the visible and hidden security features of the card. The authority said these changes were made according to current security needs and the capabilities of local manufacturing. The move also addresses a major limitation of the previous chip-based Smart NIC. Although the Smart NIC was introduced about 14 years ago, chip readers and the required supporting infrastructure were not widely available. As a result, the chip could not be used to its full potential. A standard smartphone or camera-enabled software can be used to scan and verify the code. NADRA will also provide verification software to authorised organisations, including telecom operators, banks, hospitals, Pakistan Railways and police departments. The rollout of the new card will take place in phases. The QR code-based card will begin replacing the standard CNIC from August 15. From January 2027, the new format will be expanded to all categories, including National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOPs) and Juvenile Cards. In the final phase, the Pakistan Origin Card (POC) will also move to the chipless format. NADRA has clarified that existing identity cards will not become invalid immediately. All previously issued cards will remain valid until their expiry dates. The federal government had approved the issuance of the new identity card in February 2026. Changes to the relevant identity card rules also allowed NADRA to use QR codes and other modern technologies instead of relying only on microchips. The new system marks a shift toward locally manufactured identity documents and smartphone-based verification. It is expected to make identity checks more accessible while reducing dependence on specialised chip-reading equipment. Mobile Phone Taxes Portal Find the PTA Taxes on All Phones on a Single Page using our Taxes Portal. Note: Mobile phone tax rates and calculations fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), not the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Explore NowFollow us on Google News!