Federal notification expands CNIC rules to legally recognize QR codes, embed biometrics and offer lifetime smart IDs for older citizens
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has officially amended rules governing the Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC), legally recognizing the QR code printed on the back of identity cards as an approved security and verification feature. The notification, issued this week, empowers authorities to use the QR code for instant offline and online identity authentication, strengthening Pakistan’s national digital identification system.
Under the new rules, QR codes or other approved technologies may be used in place of a microchip on smart cards, offering flexibility in design while preserving security standards. The government also clarified legal use of biometric identifiers, such as fingerprints and iris scans, in verification procedures.
A significant relief measure sets that citizens aged 60 and above can now obtain smart identity cards that remain valid for life, reducing the need for renewals. The rules also mandate specific phrasing on IDs issued to residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
If a CNIC is suspended, all linked verification services will be immediately disabled to prevent misuse, officials said. New smart card designs with enhanced layouts and QR integration were unveiled as part of the reforms, which aim to boost accuracy, data integration and coordination across government systems.
About The Author
