Timely cancellation of a deceased person’s Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) has become crucial to avoid legal complications in inheritance, pension claims, and other financial matters, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported Sunday. Despite this, many families across Pakistan still neglect to cancel CNICs after death, often due to lack of awareness or to avoid fees.
In Rawalpindi’s Ali Town, 45-year-old widow Bakht Bibi recently cancelled her late husband’s CNIC for the first time in her family. “We never thought cancelling the ID card was necessary, but now NADRA has made it easy and free,” she said. “The cancellation appears automatically in the family tree record.”
Under directives from the interior ministry, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has made CNIC cancellation after death free of charge. When a death is recorded in the Civil Registration Management System (CRMS), NADRA automatically updates family data. Relatives visiting NADRA for any other service are asked to confirm the death through biometric verification before the CNIC is cancelled.
Officials said the reforms have improved data accuracy, with CNIC cancellations after death increasing nearly sixfold. The step has also reduced fake entries in official records.
Residents welcomed the initiative. “Earlier, people avoided the process because of the cost, but now it’s simple and free,” said Bilal Ahmed, a Rawalpindi resident. Village headman Ghulam Ali Dhaddi added that linking NADRA data with other departments would help families avoid multiple visits for inheritance and property updates.
Legal expert Usman Farooq Dhaddi noted that maintaining accurate death records would strengthen national databases and improve government planning. “With NADRA’s verified data linked to other departments, transparency in inheritance and welfare systems will improve,” he said.
Some citizens, however, called for further reforms. A woman named Sidra said that while free CNIC cancellation was a positive step, automatic property transfer after cancellation would help daughters like her secure their rightful inheritance shares.
For many low-income families, the reform also carries emotional value. “My husband’s name is now properly marked in NADRA’s family tree,” said Bakht Bibi. “It feels like our family is recognised.”
