Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority has introduced a facial recognition based biometric verification system aimed at supporting citizens who face difficulties with fingerprint authentication. The initiative primarily addresses challenges experienced by elderly individuals and people with certain medical conditions, for whom fingerprint verification can often fail. The move reflects a broader push by the federal government to improve accessibility and reliability within national identity verification processes, especially as digital public services continue to expand across the country.
According to NADRA, the decision follows directives issued by the prime minister and the interior minister, under which a series of administrative and regulatory measures were approved to modernize identity verification. One of the key steps includes amendments to the National Identity Card rules, expanding the legal definition of biometric verification to formally include facial recognition. By bringing facial recognition within the regulatory framework, NADRA has ensured that the new method carries the same legal standing as fingerprint based verification. The authority has confirmed that it is fully prepared to implement the system nationwide and has formally requested relevant government bodies and private sector institutions to update their own verification processes so that facial recognition is accepted as a valid and recognized method.
The facial recognition service has already been integrated into the Pak-Identity mobile application, signaling NADRA’s intention to align the new system with existing digital platforms. The authority noted that once Pakistan’s Digital ID system is officially launched, citizens will be able to complete facial recognition verification directly through the app without additional procedural barriers. This integration is expected to simplify identity confirmation for a wide range of services that rely on NADRA verification, while also reducing dependency on physical fingerprints, which can be unreliable for certain segments of the population.
From January 20, all NADRA registration centres across Pakistan will begin issuing biometric verification certificates based on facial recognition. Under the new procedure, if a citizen’s fingerprint verification attempt is unsuccessful, they will be referred to the nearest NADRA registration centre for facial recognition processing. After successful completion of the process, NADRA will issue a biometric verification certificate that can be presented whenever identity confirmation is required. The certificate will be available for a nominal fee and will include the individual’s photograph, national identity card number, name, father’s name, a unique tracking ID, and a QR code to support digital validation. Each certificate will remain valid for a period of seven days, ensuring short term usability while maintaining data security and accuracy.
NADRA has also advised citizens that if they encounter issues related to the availability or recognition of the facial recognition verification service, they should file a formal complaint with the relevant institution or department requesting verification. The authority emphasized that coordination with public and private organizations is ongoing to ensure smooth adoption of the updated verification mechanism. The rollout of facial recognition based verification aligns with broader government digitization efforts and reflects an emphasis on inclusivity, ensuring that citizens who were previously disadvantaged by fingerprint based systems can access essential identity services without unnecessary hurdles.
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