Millions of Pakistanis still ‘alive’ in NADRA record after death 

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has launched a campaign to cancel the identity cards of deceased individuals whose records remain active in the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) system. 

According to official data, over 7 million identity cards remain valid across the country, despite death certificates for these individuals being issued by local union councils. 

Why the Discrepancy in Records? 

NADRA spokesperson Syed Shabbahat Ali told DW that while these individuals are recorded as deceased in union council records, they continue to be listed as active in NADRA’s database because their families have not submitted their identity cards for cancellation. He added that a lack of awareness, particularly in rural areas, is a major factor behind this issue, as many villagers are unfamiliar with legal requirements, leading to a lower rate of ID card cancellations. 

Faisal Shehzad, a record clerk at the Bhara Kahu union council, explained that most citizens are unaware that after registering a birth or death, the information must also be updated in NADRA’s database. 

“People assume their responsibility ends after reporting the event to the union council. There is no formal awareness system at the union council level, so citizens remain uninformed and only visit NADRA when the need arises.” 

Millions Face Difficulties Without ID Cards 

According to Mukhtar Ahmed, Executive Director of the Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), villages once had a watchman system in place where a designated person would report deaths and ensure their registration. However, this system has largely disappeared, shifting the responsibility to family members, who often delay or overlook the process. He emphasized the absence of a comprehensive mechanism to conduct periodic surveys and identify unregistered deaths. 

The Importance of Prompt ID Card Cancellation 

NADRA spokesperson Shabbahat Ali stated that a deceased person’s identity card cannot be removed from NADRA’s database unless their family members personally submit it along with the death certificate. 

Also read: NADRA to shut down Pak ID app from tomorrow

“This is a sensitive legal matter,” he said, adding that close family members can complete the process free of charge at any NADRA center. Failure to cancel an ID card in a timely manner can create legal difficulties for heirs when obtaining necessary documents. 

Weak Death Registration System 

Mukhtar Ahmed Ali pointed out that Pakistan’s inadequate death registration system is a key reason why NADRA’s records remain outdated. 

Election Commission and Death Records 

A senior official from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that NADRA provides data on newly issued, amended, and canceled National Identity Cards (NICs) for monthly updates to voter lists. Registration officers verify this data through the Central Electoral Registration System (CERS). Under the Election Act 2017, data on deceased voters is also collected quarterly from local governments and verified before their names are removed from electoral rolls. 

NADRA’s Database as a Key Verification Tool 

Mukhtar Ahmed stressed that NADRA’s database is a crucial verification tool, making its accuracy essential. He urged citizens to return a deceased relative’s ID card and register the death with the union council. 

“Although NADRA’s system is generally very efficient, improvements are needed in the registration of deaths.” 

Former Bhara Kahu councilor Shabbir Ahmed noted that due to the lack of an awareness campaign, rural residents often remain uninformed about these procedures. As a result, they fail to register deaths, births, or divorces in a timely manner, leading to difficulties in obtaining legal documents from NADRA. 

He suggested that the government and NADRA implement an effective system to ensure the timely registration of deaths and raise public awareness about the importance of updating official records. 

How Significant Is the Risk of Misuse? 

Legal expert Sajid Shah warned that failing to cancel a deceased person’s ID card on time poses legal and security risks, as these cards could be misused for election fraud, terrorism, and other illegal activities. 

“Negligence, ignorance, or deliberate delays for illegal gains fall under fraud as defined by the Pakistan Penal Code,” he stated.