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The National Database and Registration Authority’s (NADRA) official mobile app, widely used for identity card applications, renewals, and verification services, has raised eyebrows over a puzzling feature that seems to defy logic. Under the section labeled “Cancel Identity Due to Death,” users are presented with two options:
- Relative of Deceased
- Myself
While the first option makes sense, the second one appears absurd—allowing an individual who is supposedly deceased to initiate the cancellation of their own Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC).
To make matters more confusing, if the “Myself” option is selected, the app does not reject the request but instead proceeds to conduct a facial recognition “liveness check.” This process, designed to confirm whether the applicant is physically alive and matches official biometric records, completely contradicts the very purpose of canceling an identity due to death.
The Contradiction Explained
In theory, only a relative of the deceased or an authorized family member should have the ability to submit a death-related CNIC cancellation request. Yet, NADRA’s app creates a scenario where a deceased person would have to:
- Log into the app themselves
- Select the “Myself” option
- Undergo a liveness check to prove they are alive
- And then, somehow, confirm their own death
This contradiction not only confuses ordinary users but also undermines confidence in the app’s design.
NADRA’s Response Raises More Questions
When contacted for clarification, a NADRA spokesperson insisted that the “Cancel Identity Due to Death” service is meant only for relatives of the deceased. However, the spokesperson avoided explaining why the app explicitly offers a “Myself” option, or why it would require a liveness check from someone who is presumed to be no longer alive.
The lack of explanation has left users wondering whether the issue is a technical glitch, a mistranslation, or an unaddressed flaw in the app’s interface.
Broader Concerns About Government Apps
This is not the first time a Pakistani government app has faced criticism for poor design or confusing user experience. Several public-facing apps—whether from NADRA, tax authorities, or other government departments—have been flagged for:
- Complicated navigation
- Poorly translated instructions
- Lack of error handling
- Redundant or illogical features
Given that NADRA’s app deals with sensitive citizen identity records, even minor oversights can create significant confusion and embarrassment.
Why It Matters
The issue goes beyond just one design flaw. NADRA plays a central role in Pakistan’s governance structure by maintaining the national citizen database, issuing CNICs, and enabling access to essential services like banking, healthcare, voting, and government subsidies.
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Any feature that undermines the credibility, usability, or trustworthiness of its app could have serious consequences, such as:
- Public mistrust in digital governance systems
- Confusion among citizens trying to access vital services
- International scrutiny over how Pakistan manages digital identity security
Possible Explanations
While NADRA has yet to issue a full clarification, experts suggest a few possibilities:
- Mistranslation or Labeling Error
- The “Myself” option may have been intended for living users who wish to cancel their own CNIC for reasons other than death (such as dual nationality).
- Technical Glitch
- The app may have mistakenly merged two separate workflows, creating the contradictory death-related liveness check.
- Design Oversight
- The inclusion of the option without proper review highlights weak user testing and lack of attention to detail.
Calls for Improvement
Digital governance experts argue that incidents like this show the urgent need for better quality assurance and user experience design in government applications. Key recommendations include:
- Conducting thorough usability testing before launch
- Providing clear instructions in both Urdu and English
- Regularly auditing apps for errors and contradictions
- Establishing a public feedback mechanism to catch such flaws early
What’s Next?
As of now, NADRA has not offered a detailed statement on the matter. It remains unclear whether the feature will be removed, corrected, or explained in future updates of the app.
For citizens, however, the incident reinforces a common frustration: that government apps, even when intended to simplify life, often create confusion instead.
Until NADRA clarifies or fixes the contradictory option, the “deceased canceling their own CNIC” glitch will remain yet another symbol of poor design oversight in Pakistan’s digital governance journey.
