The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced a digital “Proof of Life” service for pensioners, aimed at eliminating the long-standing challenges of physical fingerprint verification.

The new feature, available on the Pak Identity mobile app, allows pensioners to verify their identity online without visiting government offices. This reform is especially significant for senior citizens whose fingerprints fade with age, making traditional biometric verification unreliable.

Syed Shabahat Ali, NADRA’s Director of Media, said the initiative is designed to ensure “convenience and dignity for our senior citizens” by providing a sustainable digital alternative to outdated verification methods.

A Relief for Pensioners

For years, pensioners have faced repeated trips to NADRA centres, often accompanied by family members, only to encounter biometric rejections that delayed pension disbursements. The new digital system will save time, reduce stress, and restore autonomy to elderly citizens.

Step Toward Digital Governance

The service marks a milestone in Pakistan’s digital governance drive, showing how technology can improve public service delivery and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. If successful, experts believe this model could be replicated for other welfare and social protection programs.

However, challenges remain. Experts warn that digital literacy, smartphone access, and internet availability—particularly in rural areas—must be addressed to prevent digital exclusion of vulnerable groups.

By modernizing pension verification, NADRA has taken a key step toward making Pakistan’s public services more inclusive, efficient, and citizen-friendly.

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The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced a new mobile application that allows Pakistani citizens to digitally register life events—including births, deaths, and changes in marital status—without needing to visit government offices.

The initiative was officially announced during the second meeting of the National Registration and Biometric Policy Framework Implementation Committee, which included representatives from federal ministries, regulatory bodies, and provincial departments.

According to NADRA Chairman Lt Gen (Retd) Muhammad Munir Afsar, the mobile app is a step toward digitizing public services and strengthening the integrity of the national database.

“This mobile application enables citizens to register life events online from their homes. Initially, the rollout will begin in Punjab,” Afsar stated.

To support this new digital system, biometric verification services are being expanded to local union councils across the province. During the session, a live demonstration of the app was given to officials from the Local Government Department, showcasing its features and ease of use.

In parallel, NADRA is also establishing one-window counters in union councils across Islamabad to further simplify the registration process for walk-in users.

The meeting also featured an update from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman, who briefed the attendees on the development of a national biometric policy. This framework aims to enable a secure and unified digital identity ecosystem across the country.

This move marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s journey toward digital governance, with the potential to reduce bureaucratic delays, eliminate middlemen, and bring government services closer to the people.

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NADRA was instructed by the Interior Minister, Chaudry Nisar Ali Khan to introduce a ‘centralized digital databank’. The online visa system (data banks) will issue visa to foreigners who issue visa from Pakistan mission across the world.

according to the minister,

“The mechanism would help the foreigners to get an online visa appointment for any category of visas for traveling to Pakistan. At the same time it will bring transparency and clarity in to the system.”

The announcement was made during a  high profile meeting that was attended by worthy guests like the secretary interior, chairman NADRA, director general Air Wing and senior officers from Ministry of Interior.

The Interior Minister said,

“Central digital databank of visa appointments and visa issuance mechanism would help the state to keep a check on all aliens visiting the country.”

We are not forgetting to mention that during the tenure of last government Ch. Nisar urged the Prime Minister’s office to write a letter that featured authorizing of our Ambassador in US to issue visas with approval from Islamabad. The mechanism was withdrawn in 2014.

The minister believes that the system yet needs improvement. He said,

“A lot has been done, during the last three years to ensure that no alien should enter Pakistan without proper documents and these documents should duly be verified before issue.”

He guided NADRA to construct an online system for the issuance of visas. The step should be taken to make the system transparent. According to him the step of online data storage will ensure safety and records would be highly maintained to avoid any irregularity.

The minister restricted NADRA for renting buildings for establishment of offices. He asked them to buy commercial buildings on market rates for any such purpose.

NADRA was asked to have a keen look at the rates given to private contractors and to establish some new rules for infusing transparency for hiring private contractors. So the online visa system should be made transparent and public money should be saved.

The Interior Minister said,

“NADRA should approach all the provincial governments for purchasing of land for its offices on government rates. The interior minister gave one week deadline to NADRA for putting up a proposal in regards to online visa system establishment rules and regulations for the contractors and settling their rates for construction / renovation.”

He further added,

“Looking at the financial wrongdoings of the past over the purchase of land and building on rent purposes NADRA it is imperative that such practice should be stopped for good.”

The Interior Minister closed down the National Technology Limited that was introduced by NADRA. The software company was closed immediately on orders of the minister.

According to the minister,

“NTL was source of financial misappropriation and has been closed down mainly to plug financial bungling. He said that despite the closure of NTL the international commitments of NADRA would not be effected since requisite amendments would be done to address NADRA’s international obligations and contracts with foreign institutions and countries.”

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MasterCard to join hands with NADRA Technologies to optimize Pakistani National ID cards with electronic payments.

This strategy aims to enable Pakistanis to make financial transactions and also to receive government disbursements with the identification number of the ID card.

Now people can send or receive domestic and international remittances simply with the ID cards.

This means that there is no requirement to go to bank or currency exchange house and waiting for your turn. The needs can be met with use of ID card.

According to the terms of agreement of MasterCard is to use the next-generation payment processing technologies to work o  all sorts of payments made by people of Pakistan. This will be done by issuance of National ID cards, passports or any other document provisioned by NADRA Technologies.

World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2017 was held kn Davos, Switzerland. The meeting is planned to be from 17-20 January 2017. During the meeting this strategic program was announced.

According to news the MasterCard’s Country Manager for Pakistan and Afghanistan has said, “The new service will make international remittances more convenient both for the sender and beneficiary, and this is significant since Pakistan is one of the top receivers of remittances from abroad.”

He further said,

“Combining the National ID card with payment features will transform it into a powerful, multi-purpose channel for citizens to carry out financial transactions, and will facilitate faster and more efficient delivery of vital government services.”

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