Unpaperified Existence: Millions of Pakistanis Lead a Phantom Life Without Access to Essential Documents

Unpaperified Existence: Millions of Pakistanis Lead a Phantom Life Without Access to Essential Documents

In the bustling city of Karachi, Ahmed Raza, a 19-year-old resident, finds himself in a predicament - without an identity card, he is unable to work or continue his education. His story is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by many in Pakistan when it comes to obtaining identity documents.

The key obstacles to identity documentation in Pakistan, particularly for the underprivileged and unregistered populations, are numerous. These include limited access to NADRA centres, especially for rural and remote residents, a digital divide and low internet penetration, privacy and security concerns, gender and social barriers, and low digital literacy.

The digital divide, for instance, is evident with only 33% national internet usage, and rural households making up just 23% of the connected population. This disparity is further exacerbated by gender disparities in mobile phone ownership and internet usage, hindering digital ID application among women and marginalized groups.

Zahida Manzoor, a child protection officer at UNICEF, emphasizes the importance of improving birth registration rates. She believes that doing so will pave the way for a brighter future for an entire generation. However, many, like Raza's mother, Maryam Suleman, remain unregistered and unaware of the importance of having identity documents.

Raza slipped through the system until the end of elementary school, but his middle school requested documentation, forcing him to be withdrawn. In 2021, it was estimated that around 45 million people in Pakistan were not registered.

However, efforts are being made to address these challenges. Digital reforms by NADRA, including the launch of a mobile app and online portal in 2025, aim to improve accessibility for rural and marginalized populations. Improved biometric verification technology upgraded to international standards is also being implemented to enhance security and reduce fraud, building trust in the system.

Expansion of digital infrastructure and connectivity is being emphasized to bridge the digital divide, improve internet access, and reduce gender disparities. Incentivizing ID registration through social welfare programs, such as the Benzair Income Support Programme, is another strategy being used to increase ID issuance.

Efforts to narrow gender gaps are also being made, with the addition of 7 million women with digital IDs between 2021-2023. Plans for decentralization of sensitive ID data are also underway to improve privacy and reduce concerns about information misuse.

Despite these efforts, issues like connectivity gaps, digital literacy, and social barriers still require ongoing attention to ensure full and equitable inclusion. Saba, a resident of a remote village, is determined to register her three children, starting with convincing her in-laws of its value.

UNICEF's door-to-door registration campaigns in such villages have increased birth registration rates significantly. However, the paperwork for registration can cost up to $165, a significant amount for many like Raza and his mother, who earn a living doing housework and odd jobs in a grocery shop.

In Pakistan, a birth certificate is required for school enrolment in most parts of the country, and parents often wait until their child is five to obtain one. To register, Raza needs his mother's or uncle's documents, which is an expensive and complex process, often requiring a doctor, lawyer, or newspaper notice.

Approximately 45 percent of Pakistanis live in poverty, making registration fees a significant burden for many. If a child does not have an identity, the state is not planning for the services that the child will need after birth, according to Zahida Manzoor.

In conclusion, Pakistan's identity documentation system faces challenges rooted in accessibility, digital infrastructure, privacy, and social inequities. The government and partners are actively introducing digital services, infrastructure improvements, and social programs to make identity documents more accessible, especially for the underprivileged and unregistered populations. However, issues like connectivity gaps, digital literacy, and social barriers still require ongoing attention to ensure full and equitable inclusion.

1. Ahmed Raza, a 19-year-old resident of Karachi, is currently unable to work or continue his education due to the lack of an identity card.
2. The challenges faced by many in Pakistan to obtain identity documents are numerous, including limited access to NADRA centres, privacy and security concerns, gender and social barriers, and low digital literacy.
3. The digital divide is evident in Pakistan with only 33% national internet usage and rural households making up just 23% of the connected population.
4. Gender disparities in mobile phone ownership and internet usage are hindering digital ID application among women and marginalized groups.
5. Zahida Manzoor, a child protection officer at UNICEF, believes that improving birth registration rates will pave the way for a brighter future for an entire generation.
6. Many, like Raza's mother, Maryam Suleman, remain unregistered and unaware of the importance of having identity documents.
7. Raza slipped through the system until the end of elementary school, but his middle school requested documentation, forcing him to be withdrawn.
8. In 2021, it was estimated that around 45 million people in Pakistan were not registered.
9. NADRA is implementing digital reforms, including the launch of a mobile app and online portal, to improve accessibility for rural and marginalized populations.
10. Improved biometric verification technology upgraded to international standards is being implemented to enhance security and reduce fraud, building trust in the system.
11. Expansion of digital infrastructure and connectivity is being emphasized to bridge the digital divide, improve internet access, and reduce gender disparities.
12. The Benzair Income Support Programme is being used to incentivize ID registration through social welfare programs.
13. Efforts to narrow gender gaps are being made, with the addition of 7 million women with digital IDs between 2021-2023.
14. Plans for decentralization of sensitive ID data are also underway to improve privacy and reduce concerns about information misuse.
15. Connectivity gaps, digital literacy, and social barriers still require ongoing attention to ensure full and equitable inclusion.
16. Saba, a resident of a remote village, is determined to register her three children, starting with convincing her in-laws of its value.
17. UNICEF's door-to-door registration campaigns in such villages have increased birth registration rates significantly.
18. The paperwork for registration can cost up to $165, a significant amount for many like Raza and his mother, who earn a living doing housework and odd jobs in a grocery shop.
19. In Pakistan, a birth certificate is required for school enrolment in most parts of the country.
20. To register, Raza needs his mother's or uncle's documents, which is an expensive and complex process, often requiring a doctor, lawyer, or newspaper notice.
21. Approximately 45 percent of Pakistanis live in poverty, making registration fees a significant burden for many.
22. If a child does not have an identity, the state is not planning for the services that the child will need after birth, according to Zahida Manzoor.
23. In conclusion, Pakistan's identity documentation system faces challenges rooted in accessibility, digital infrastructure, privacy, and social inequities.
24. The government and partners are actively introducing digital services, infrastructure improvements, and social programs to make identity documents more accessible, especially for the underprivileged and unregistered populations.
25. The improved accessibility to identity documents can positively impact various aspects of life, from education to employment, and beyond.
26. In the realm of health and wellness, identity documents can ensure that individuals have access to necessary therapies and treatments for various medical conditions such as chronic kidney disease, COPD, type-2 diabetes, cancer, respiratory conditions, digestive health, eye health, hearing, mental health, skin care, and more.
27. The documentation can also provide access to nutrition and healthy diets, weight management, and preventive care, contributing to overall well-being.
28. Moreover, with access to identity documents, individuals can enjoy the benefits of workplace-wellness programs, renewable energy initiatives, small business opportunities, transportation, environmental science, financial services, and more, unlocking endless possibilities to thrive in various industries such as manufacturing, retail, automotive, aviation, entrepreneurship, and more.

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