[4] The CNIC includes details such as legal name, gender (male, female, or transgender), father's name (or husband's name for married women), identification mark, date of birth, national ID card number, family tree ID number, current and permanent addresses, issue and expiry dates, signature, photo, and thumbprint (fingerprint).

[7] This initiative aimed to collect demographic data, addresses, photographs, and thumb impressions from citizens for the purpose of maintaining a statistical database.

The goal was to streamline the process of registering individuals and issuing biometric data based national ID cards while reducing government intervention.

The Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) contains a 13-digit unique ID, a photo, signature, and a microchip storing iris scans and fingerprints.

This technology proved highly effective in deduplicating the national database, significantly reducing instances of dual IDs and identity theft.

[3] In October 2012 NADRA introduced the Smart National ID Card with enhanced security features to deter forgery and broaden its application in government services.

[9] Studies indicate that women and children of unregistered parents are at risk of trafficking and forced labor due to their inability to obtain CNICs or birth certificates.

[10][11][5] To address this issue, mobile registration units with female staff and simplified processes to assist vulnerable groups ensuring better inclusion.

[15] In March 2024, it emerged that the sensitive personal data of approximately 2.7 million Pakistanis had been compromised from NADRA's database, notably from the Multan, Karachi, and Peshawar offices.