In a landmark move for the country, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) will introduce special B forms for children over the age of 10, effective from January 15. This initiative, directed by Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi, marks the first time in Pakistan’s history that children over 10 will be issued B forms with enhanced security features, including thumbprints and photographs.
Minister Naqvi expressed hope that the new B forms would prevent the misuse of children’s identities, particularly by human traffickers who often forge identity documents for children to facilitate illegal migration to Europe. He lauded the efforts of the NADRA Chairman, the Directorate General of Passports, and their teams for introducing these reforms in such a short period.
The new forms will be rolled out in phases, with the first phase beginning on January 15, focusing on children between the ages of 10 and 18. As part of the process, parents or legal guardians will need to bring their children to NADRA centers, where both thumb impressions and photographs will be taken. To complete the registration, parents must also provide their computerized national identity cards and the children’s computerized birth certificates, issued by the respective union council or town committee.
Additionally, the spokesman for the Interior Ministry clarified that children will need to present their NADRA-issued B forms when applying for a new passport. The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports will then cross-check the provided thumb impressions and photographs against NADRA’s database to ensure authenticity.
Looking ahead, the government plans further reforms in the coming phase, which will make it possible for union councils to handle the collection of thumb impressions, photographs, and even eye scans for children, streamlining the process. Moreover, all Pakistani citizens will eventually be issued digital IDs to further enhance security.
