Pakistan – Digital ID Regional Overview
Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion
Ref: SRC-004-PAK-002
Accessed: 3/24/2026
Summary
Comprehensive overview of Pakistan's NADRA-managed digital identity system. Reports CNIC coverage at approximately 96% of population (~120 million adults). Documents biometric capabilities including fingerprint, iris (added March 2025), and facial recognition. Identifies documented concerns: 2.7 million data breach (2019-2023), exclusion of stateless/transgender/migrant populations, mandatory paternal/spousal linkage barriers, and accountability gaps through legal immunity provisions.
View Harvard reference
Statelessness Encyclopedia Asia Pacific (2025) 'Pakistan', SEAP. Available at: https://seap.nationalityforall.org/digital-id/regional-overview/south-asia/pakistan/ (Accessed: 24 March 2026).