The national database and registration authority (NADRA) is an independent and autonomous body.
The primary function of this agency is to maintain government databases and statistically manage the sensitive registration database of all national citizens of Pakistan. The main aim of this body is to protect the databases of the citizens in the view of national security. It is under the control of the interior secretary of Pakistan, which is in charge of the country’s law and order machinery.
NADRA was formed 20 years ago, on the 10th of March, 2000. The headquarters of NADRA is located at Islamabad, Islamabad capital venue. NADRA brought a dynamic change in the security machinery of Pakistan by introducing a computerized national identity card (CNIC) that can be delivered at people’s doorsteps.
INFORMATIONAL FACTS
As of now, about 18,000 employees are working under NADRA.
- There are about 800 domestic offices and five international ones.
- This body flourished rapidly under the guidance of former chairman Mr. Ali Arshad Hakeem
- Till date, over 96 million citizens in Pakistan and abroad have benefitted from the services of this agency.
- The motto of NADRA symbolizes “EMPOWERMENT THROUGH IDENTITY.”
HISTORY
After the independence of Pakistan, the Personal identity card system was launched(PIS). The purpose of this system was to issue national identification cards to citizens of Pakistan as well as to the Muslim refugees who have settled in Pakistan. Till the 1970 general elections in Pakistan, various amendments in this system were made.
After the 1971 war, which resulted in the partition of East Pakistan( Bangladesh ) and West Pakistan ( currently, Pakistan), an urgent need for a secure database system was aroused as questions were being raised on who was a Pakistani and who was not. A new program was further visioned by then prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who established the photo ID to all registered Pakistani citizens.
In a parliamentary session in 1973, Bhutto expressed his thoughts and stated that the country was operating in utter darkness due to the absence of a secure statistical database of the citizens. NADRA was then formed in 2000 by merging the directorate general of registration with the National Database Organization (NDO). NADRA maintains databases of citizens by Multi-biometric national identity card(NIC).
NICOP APPLICATION AND NADRA ONLINE
In order to track NADRA smart card, the tracking ID of 12 digits unique for each card is sent to 8400. NICOP(national identity card for overseas Pakistanis) is a card made for individuals with dual citizenship who will be able to visit Pakistan without a requirement of a visa. Any Pakistani citizen above the age of 18 can apply for NICOP by filling the application form either from the registration authority office or by visiting www.nadra.gov.pk and applying for Pak-identity.
NADRA has commenced its services of online application for NICOP. Online data is collected that is the fingerprints, thumb impressions, and signature of the individual. Online fee after applying can be submitted through debit or credit card.
If you are a Pakistani citizen, above 18 years of age, you can apply for these services offered by NADRA by visiting the official website.
