For many citizens, a simple trip to the bank or a mobile franchise can turn into a frustrating ordeal. The reason? Fading fingerprints. Whether due to age, medical conditions, or years of manual labor, the ridges on fingertips can wear down, making standard biometric verification nearly impossible.
This issue creates significant barriers when people try to access essential services like property transfers, SIM card registration, or pension collection. While the State Bank of Pakistan and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority have previously suggested workarounds, the practical reality often involves long delays and rejected applications. Even worse, substandard fingerprint readers at service points frequently fail to read prints that are otherwise viable.
Recognizing this widespread problem, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) is rolling out a major technological upgrade. Directed by the Prime Minister and the Federal Minister for Interior, NADRA is shifting toward a multi-biometric system that includes facial recognition.
Expanding the Definition of Biometrics
To build a solid legal foundation for this new system, the Federal Government has amended the National Identity Card Rules based on NADRA’s recommendations. Previously, biometrics primarily referred to fingerprints. Now, the legal definition has been expanded to include facial photographs and iris scans as valid biometric identifiers.
This legislative change paves the way for a more inclusive verification system, ensuring that citizens are not denied services simply because a machine cannot read their fingerprints.
How the New System Works
NADRA has developed a technical framework to enable contactless fingerprint and facial recognition-based verification. This technology is already being used for specific services, such as:
- Vehicle transfers for Islamabad-registered cars.
- Online passport applications.
- Upcoming proof-of-life certificates for Federal Government pensioners.
The scope of these services is expanding in phases, but the most significant change for the general public is set to begin in early 2026.
The Verification Process from January 2026
Effective January 20, 2026, citizens facing fingerprint issues will have a clear alternative. If biometric verification fails at a bank, telecom franchise, or government office, the individual can visit any NADRA Registration Centre to obtain a facial recognition-based biometric verification certificate.
Here is the step-by-step procedure:
- Visit NADRA: If fingerprint verification fails at a service provider, the citizen visits the nearest NADRA center.
- Photo Capture: NADRA takes a fresh photograph of the citizen.
- Matching: This new photo is matched against the image already stored in NADRA’s database.
- Certificate Issuance: Upon successful matching, NADRA issues a certificate for a nominal fee of Rs 20.
- Submission: The citizen submits this certificate to the institution requiring verification.
The certificate remains valid for seven days and includes vital details such as the purpose of verification, the citizen’s recent and record photographs, CNIC number, and a unique QR code for digital validation.
Future Plans: e-Sahulat and Digital ID
NADRA plans to make this service even more accessible in the future. The roadmap includes making facial verification certificates available through NADRA’s widespread e-Sahulat franchises.
Furthermore, following the formal launch of the Digital ID, citizens will eventually be able to perform this verification independently via the Pak-ID mobile application, removing the need to visit a physical center entirely.
What Institutions Need to Do
While NADRA is technically ready to implement this system, its success depends on the cooperation of other institutions. Banks, telecom companies, and public sector organizations need to upgrade their infrastructure to support facial recognition.
The implementation is divided into two phases for these institutions:
- Phase 1: Updating software to integrate and verify the facial recognition certificates issued by NADRA.
- Phase 2: Installing cameras at service counters or integrating them into existing KYC (Know Your Customer) machines.
Without these upgrades, service providers cannot offer this facility directly at their counters. NADRA has requested regulators to enforce these standards to ensure a seamless experience for the public.
A Step Toward Digital Inclusion
This initiative marks a significant step toward digital inclusion in Pakistan. By moving beyond a reliance solely on fingerprints, NADRA is ensuring that elderly citizens and those with medical conditions are not left behind in an increasingly digital world.
As NADRA reaffirms its commitment to technological innovation, this new system promises to enhance security against identity fraud while finally resolving the long-standing difficulties faced by citizens with faded fingerprints.
