The Government of Pakistan has notified amendments to the National Identity Card Rules, 2002, and the Pakistan Origin Card Rules, 2002, through S.R.O. 330(I)/2026 and S.R.O. 331(I)/2026. The changes were issued under Section 44 of the NADRA Ordinance, 2000, and published in the Gazette of Pakistan on February 24, 2026.
The amendments aim to modernize Pakistan’s identity document system by formally introducing QR-based verification, strengthening digital authentication controls, expanding biometric recognition, and updating card formats for different citizen categories.
A major reform is the official inclusion of the Quick Response (QR) code as a security and verification feature. The updated rules define the QR code as a secure, machine-readable two-dimensional barcode that can store encoded information and convert it into usable identity verification data when scanned.
The rules also allow the use of “QR code or any other technological feature” instead of the existing microchip. This gives the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) the flexibility to adopt new technologies in the future without repeatedly amending the rules. It also means citizens will no longer need two different types of national identity cards, one with a chip and one without, as QR-enabled cards will standardize the format.
The updated cards will include features such as QR codes, senior citizen and other category logos, family numbers, additional information for NICOP and POC holders, and bilingual data. These changes support Pakistan’s Digital ID system and improve integration through the National Data Exchange Layer.
QR-based verification is expected to make identity checks faster and more secure in both physical and online environments. It will also reduce manual processing and help prevent fraud and impersonation.
The amendments further clarify that if a card is suspended, all verification and authentication services linked to it will be immediately suspended as well. This closes a loophole where suspended cards might still have been used through digital systems.
Biometric security has also been strengthened, with the rules now explicitly recognizing both fingerprints and iris scans as part of the authentication process, reinforcing a modern multi-modal biometric framework.
For senior citizens, the amendments introduce a significant facilitation measure. Citizens aged 60 years or above, whether resident or overseas, will receive identity cards with a special senior citizen logo and lifetime validity. This removes the need for repeated renewals and reduces inconvenience for elderly citizens.
The updated rules also standardize identification for residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir by requiring a clear inscription stating “Resident of Azad Jammu and Kashmir” on the card.
Additionally, the specimen formats for various identity documents have been revised. Updated smart card formats now apply to resident citizens, overseas Pakistanis, child registration certificates, persons with disabilities, organ donors, combined categories, and AJK residents. All new formats incorporate QR codes and enhanced security designs.
Overall, these amendments strengthen the legal and technological framework of Pakistan’s identity system by enabling secure QR-based verification, improving biometric safeguards, tightening digital authentication controls, and offering citizen-friendly measures such as lifetime validity for senior citizens. The changes also support broader digital governance efforts by enhancing interoperability across government systems.
