Pakistan has begun collecting biometric data from children aged 10 to 18 as part of updates to its civil registry system, Biometric Update published on its official website.
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports announced that fingerprints and facial photographs are now required for the issuance or update of the Child Registration Certificate (CRC), also known as the B-form.
The biometric data, effective from January 1, 2025, will aid in verifying identities during passport applications and is part of reforms initiated by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Authorities state that the move aims to curb ID fraud, enhance passport security, and combat human trafficking.
Further reforms include integrating iris, fingerprint, and facial biometrics at Union Councils and harmonizing NADRA’s database with the Civil Registration Management System held by local governments.
Efforts to improve digital ID services through the Pak ID mobile app are also ongoing. This initiative aligns with broader legal and policy updates to modernize Pakistan’s digital ID system and follows a regional precedent set by India, which began enrolling children’s biometrics in 2022.
