Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Pakistan's NADRA Sets Jan. 20 Rollout for Facial Recognition Biometric Certificates

The move stems from rule changes that broaden biometrics to help people who cannot pass fingerprint verification.

Overview

  • All NADRA registration centres will issue facial recognition–based biometric verification certificates starting January 20, 2026.
  • The initiative targets citizens, especially elderly people and those with medical conditions, who face fingerprint authentication failures.
  • Certificates will carry a photo, CNIC number, name, father’s name, a unique tracking ID and a QR code, and they will be valid for seven days.
  • Facial recognition has been enabled on the Pak-ID mobile app and will be offered through the app once the Digital ID is launched.
  • NADRA says it is prepared for implementation, has asked public and private institutions to ready their systems, and will route post–January 20 availability complaints to the relevant bodies.