The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has announced a major facilitation measure for overseas Pakistanis, abolishing the cancellation fee for the National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) in the event of death. The move aims to ensure the timely registration of deaths among Pakistani citizens living abroad.
According to official details, the new facility was introduced following the directives of Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, as part of NADRA’s broader efforts to modernize its services and simplify procedures for Pakistani citizens worldwide.
Under the new policy, any immediate family member of the deceased — including parents, siblings (Alpha family), or spouse and children (Beta family) — can now cancel the NICOP free of charge once the death has been registered with the relevant Union Council or Pakistani embassy.
The process can be completed through the Pak-ID mobile app or by visiting the nearest NADRA registration centre, ensuring flexibility for families whether they are in Pakistan or abroad. In addition, NADRA has eliminated the requirement to submit the physical NICOP card for cancellation, making the procedure more efficient and accessible.
This initiative follows NADRA’s recent introduction of a digital birth and death registration system, developed in collaboration with provincial governments to streamline vital recordkeeping in hospitals and healthcare facilities across Pakistan. The digital system is designed to make the registration process faster, transparent, and fully integrated with NADRA’s central database.
According to the authority, the project is part of the National Biometric and Registration Policy Framework, which was approved by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on January 1, 2025.
Currently in its trial phase, the system has been installed in more than 50 hospitals and health centres nationwide, including PIMS, CDA, and Federal Government hospitals in Islamabad, as well as Lady Aitchison Hospital in Lahore, Bolan Medical College, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, and Arya Hospital in Quetta.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), the system is operational at DHQ Haripur and Batkhela, while facilities in Azad Jammu Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Hyderabad, and Matiari are also connected.
Once fully implemented, hospitals and health centres will automatically notify NADRA of any birth or death, triggering an instant SMS and mobile app notification to the registered family members. The notification will include guidance for completing the official registration process with the respective local Union Council.
This new initiative reflects NADRA’s ongoing commitment to digitization and citizen facilitation. By removing unnecessary fees and paperwork, the authority aims to make essential civil registration processes more accessible, transparent, and convenient for all Pakistanis, both at home and abroad.
