After years of trying, Rubina, a young woman from Karachi, finally succeeded in getting her digital national identity card through a landmark court ruling. Her victory has set a precedent, allowing others in similar situations to claim their rights.
Previously, obtaining a CNIC without presenting a father’s ID card was nearly impossible, leaving children raised by single mothers excluded. For Rubina, whose father abandoned her as a baby, this requirement was an insurmountable hurdle. She repeatedly visited NADRA offices, only to face rejection.
Frustrated, Rubina took her case to the Sindh High Court, which ruled in November that NADRA must issue her a CNIC based on her mother’s citizenship record. This decision has far-reaching implications, opening doors for children of single mothers to access government benefits, education, jobs, and banking services.
“This card changes everything for me,” Rubina shared. With her CNIC, she can now apply to take over her mother’s position in the state education department upon her retirement.
Haris Khaleeq from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) mentioned the broader impact, explaining that without a CNIC ID card, individuals face exclusion from public services and even basic financial transactions.
While NADRA claims to have issued 120 million CNICs to 96% of Pakistan’s population till 2022, many groups remain without one, including women, migrant workers, and nomadic communities.
Every card features a 13-digit unique ID, a photo of the individual, their signature, and a microchip embedded with their iris scans and fingerprints.
Challenges such as stringent documentation requirements and lack of accessible registration facilities continue to block access for vulnerable populations.
Efforts are being made to address these gaps, including the establishment of women-only centers and mobile registration units. The government is also planning to introduce a data privacy policy to tackle concerns around data breaches and misuse of personal information.
For Rubina, securing her CNIC marks a life-changing moment. “I hope this victory helps others like me,” she said, determined to use her new-found identity to build a brighter future.