Pakistan to Roll Out Unified Facial Recognition System by End of 2025

Islamabad – May 31, 2025:The Ministry of Interior has directed all relevant departments to halt the separate storage of citizens’ biometric data and begin transitioning to a unified facial recognition system, with full nationwide deployment expected byDecember 31, 2025. The directive was issued during a high-level meeting chaired by Interior MinisterMohsin Naqviat theNational Database and Registration Authority (NADRA)headquarters in Islamabad. The session, also attended by NADRA ChairmanLt. Gen. Muhammad Munir Afsar, addressed urgent security and data management challenges. During the meeting, the NADRA chairman raised concerns over various government departments and service providers maintaining fragmented local databases of biometric data, potentially exposing sensitive information to misuse and cyber threats. To mitigate these risks, he stressed the importance of leveraging NADRA’s centralized and secure database, particularly its advancedfacial recognition system, to assist individuals experiencing fingerprint verification issues. In a significant policy move, Minister Naqvi ordered the immediateblocking of all mobile SIMs registered against expired CNICs, starting with those issued in2017 or earlier. The initiative will extend to all inactive identity cards to ensure that only valid CNICs are used for mobile connections. To strengthen this effort, NADRA is working in close coordination with thePakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)to block SIMs linked to deceased individuals or holders of invalid ID cards. The Interior Minister also laid thefoundation stone of a 10-storey NADRA Mega Centerin Islamabad’sI-8 sector, which is slated for completion byJune 2026. Additionally,NADRA serviceswill be expanded to44 underserved tehsils and union councilsacross the country, including all31 union councils in IslamabadbyJune 30, 2025. New regional NADRA offices will also be established inMultan, Sukkur, and Gwadar, further enhancing access to digital identity and registration services. NADRA officials briefed the attendees on recent reforms, includingamendments to the National Identity Card (NIC) Rules 2002. These updates aim toenhance legal clarity and prevent fraudthroughupdated registration certificatesfor children and families. The authority has also introducedcutting-edge biometric systemsintegrating facial recognitionandiris scanning. In collaboration with agencies such asPTA, FIA, SBP, and SECP, NADRA continues to bolster efforts against identity fraud and biometric mismatches. ThePAK ID mobile app, which has surpassed7 million downloads, now supports digital ID issuance, pensioners’ “proof of life” verification, and federal arms license renewals—bringing essential services directly to users’ fingertips. This comprehensive reform package signals a major shift toward centralized, secure, and digitally integrated identity management in Pakistan.