A Step Toward Digital Governance
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has rolled out a new feature that enables citizens to track the status of their ID and document applications online.
Available through the official Pak-ID mobile app, the service allows users to monitor requests for CNICs, family registration certificates (FRCs), child registration forms (B-Forms), and other key documents—without visiting a NADRA office.
Officials say this step is part of Pakistan’s broader digital governance transformation, aimed at making government services more convenient, transparent, and citizen-friendly.
How the Pak-ID Tracking Feature Works
The tracking service is integrated directly into the Pak-ID mobile app, which NADRA describes as user-friendly and simple to navigate. With just a few taps, citizens can:
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Check the progress of CNIC applications (new, renewal, or modification).
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Track requests for family registration certificates (FRCs) and child registration forms (B-Forms).
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Get real-time updates on reprints and corrections of identity documents.
According to NADRA’s spokesperson, the system will save applicants repeated office visits, reduce wait times, and cut unnecessary costs for both the public and the authority.
Benefits for Overseas Pakistanis
The new feature is especially significant for the Pakistani diaspora—estimated at over nine million people worldwide.
For years, expatriates have faced logistical hurdles in applying for or renewing Pakistani identity documents, particularly in regions where consular services are limited.
Now, with the Pak-ID app:
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Most documents can be applied for and tracked remotely.
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Overseas users will receive real-time status updates directly on their phones.
The only exception is the first-time CNIC application, which still requires an in-person biometric verification.
This upgrade is expected to benefit overseas Pakistanis in the Middle East, Europe, and North America, where identity documents are frequently needed for property cases, inheritance matters, and family registrations.
Digital Transformation in Public Services
The launch aligns with the government’s wider digitalization agenda. Pakistan’s Interior Ministry has already ordered urgent reforms in passport and ID services, and NADRA—managing one of the world’s largest biometric citizen databases—is at the forefront.
By introducing services such as online registration, biometric verification, and digital application tracking, NADRA aims to:
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Minimize physical office visits.
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Reduce opportunities for corruption.
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Improve overall efficiency in public service delivery.
For years, citizens have complained of long queues and delays at NADRA offices. The mobile-based solution is now being seen as a game-changer for reducing both public frustration and workload on staff.
Saving Time and Building Trust
The real-time tracking system is expected to save thousands of working hours annually. Instead of repeatedly calling helplines or visiting offices, applicants can now check their request status instantly.
Experts also believe such steps will:
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Boost public trust in government institutions.
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Cut down on bureaucratic delays.
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Contribute to economic efficiency by saving time and resources.
Looking Ahead
While the launch of the tracking service is a major milestone, experts stress the need for:
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Stronger internet infrastructure across Pakistan.
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Cybersecurity safeguards to protect user data.
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Public awareness campaigns to ensure more citizens adopt the app.
For now, however, the Pak-ID tracking feature is being widely welcomed as a progressive step toward e-governance in Pakistan—empowering citizens at home and abroad with faster, more reliable access to essential services.
