Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority has launched a new facial recognition–based biometric verification certificate, introducing a contactless pathway for individuals whose fingerprints do not match during standard identity checks. Local reporting describes the certificate as a low-cost service designed to support citizens whose fingerprints may have faded or become unreadable, including elderly people and manual laborers.
According to coverage by national outlets, the new certificate can be issued within about seven days and carries a reported fee of 20 rupees. Each document includes a QR code used to validate the holder’s identity when presented to institutions that require biometric confirmation. NADRA has not yet released a full public technical specification for the certificate, but officials are described as positioning it as an alternative means of verification consistent with the authority’s broader identity digitization strategy.
The certificate functions as a contactless verification mechanism relying on facial biometrics instead of fingerprints. After an individual’s facial data is captured and verified against NADRA’s identity database, a printed certificate is generated for use with banks, government agencies, and other service providers that mandate biometric validation. Reports indicate that the certificate serves as evidence that the holder has successfully completed NADRA’s verification process using facial recognition.
The initiative reflects a continued modernization push by NADRA, which has recently expanded its use of face-matching technology through the Pak ID mobile app and through efforts to enhance identity storage and authentication across government services. It also follows the rollout of the digital national ID card, part of a broader transition toward secure digital identity credentials.
While the new certificate is already being issued, a formal government circular or gazette notification outlining its regulatory basis has not yet been published on accessible government domains. Observers expect follow-up documentation or technical guidance to clarify how the new verification method will integrate with NADRA’s existing biometric framework and institutional KYC workflows.
NADRA’s shift toward multimodal and inclusive verification methods aligns with regional trends emphasizing accessibility and resilience in national ID systems. As Pakistan’s identity infrastructure evolves, the facial-recognition certificate may become an important bridge for individuals unable to complete traditional fingerprint-based checks while maintaining compliance with institutional verification requirements.
Sources: Geo News, Dawn, Dunya News, Pakistan Today
–
By the ID Tech Editorial Team
