Islamabad, January 1, 2026 – The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has officially launched a facial recognition-based biometric verification system to assist citizens who face difficulties with fingerprint verification, including the old-age and individuals with medical conditions.
According to a NADRA spokesperson, the initiative comes under directives from the Prime Minister and the Interior Minister, aiming to modernize and improve identity verification processes across Pakistan. Recent amendments to the National Identity Card (NIC) rules now formally recognize facial recognition as a valid method of biometric verification.
The new system is fully operational, and NADRA has urged government and private institutions to make the necessary arrangements to accept facial recognition as an official verification method. The service is already integrated into the Pak-Identity mobile application, and it will become fully functional with the upcoming Digital ID system.
Starting January 20, 2026, all NADRA registration centres nationwide will begin issuing biometric verification certificates using facial recognition. Citizens whose fingerprint verification fails will be directed to the nearest NADRA centre for facial scanning.
Upon successful verification, NADRA will issue a certificate containing:
• Citizen’s photograph
• National Identity Card number
• Name and father’s name
• Unique tracking ID
• QR code
The certificate will be valid for seven days and can be obtained by paying a nominal fee.
NADRA advised citizens experiencing issues with the service to file complaints with the relevant institution or department to ensure smooth access.
The introduction of facial recognition verification represents a significant step in Pakistan’s move toward digital identity solutions, making biometric verification more accessible, secure, and inclusive for all citizens.