In a proactive move to protect the integrity of Pakistan’s national identity system, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has launched a phone-based family tree verification system. The new platform allows citizens to easily confirm the authenticity of individuals listed in their family records and report any suspicious additions.
This initiative is part of a wider crackdown on identity fraud, especially the unauthorized issuance of CNICs and passports to individuals falsely claiming Pakistani nationality. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry revealed that over 5,000 fake passports, primarily detected in Saudi Arabia, have been returned by individuals admitting they were not Pakistani nationals.
The misuse of NADRA’s family tree system was a key enabler of this fraud. In several cases, non-nationals were added to legitimate family trees through internal manipulation or external influence. The phone-based verification tool gives citizens the power to detect such entries quickly and initiate action.
Since launch, NADRA has received over 71,000 complaints, demonstrating both the public’s awareness and the effectiveness of the system. Additionally, 266 NADRA employees have been dismissed following departmental investigations, with further legal proceedings underway against some individuals.
Efforts to strengthen data protection include district-level verification committees, zonal boards, and nationwide audits. While regions like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have seen higher levels of fraud, the Ministry has emphasized non-discriminatory action across all provinces.
This digital reform ensures citizens can safeguard their identity, support accountability, and participate directly in maintaining national database accuracy.
