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The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has been forced to roll back a controversial feature in its PakID mobile application after it drew ridicule and sparked debate about Pakistan’s digital governance standards.
Earlier this month, tech publication ProPakistani first reported that the app’s “Cancel Identity Due to Death” service offered users two options — one for relatives of the deceased and another labeled “Myself.”
The strange inclusion of a self-reporting choice left many scratching their heads: how could a person possibly confirm their own death? The absurdity of the feature triggered a wave of viral jokes, memes, and questions about how thoroughly the application had been tested before release.
Liveness check deepens confusion
What made the matter even more unusual was the liveness check requirement. Selecting “myself” prompted the app to demand a facial recognition scan to verify the deceased person’s identity.
On social media, critics quickly pointed out the illogical nature of this step, with users questioning whether NADRA expected a deceased person to “come back” just long enough to scan their face. Others accused the authority of neglecting proper user-experience design and quality assurance, despite handling something as sensitive as identity management.
Social media backlash and mockery
The feature quickly became a trending topic on Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp groups, with screenshots circulating widely.
Many users mocked the option with sarcastic comments such as “NADRA introducing services for ghosts” or “Imagine canceling your ID after death from the grave.”
Some technology experts, however, raised more serious concerns, warning that such design flaws not only undermine public confidence but also risk misusing sensitive services. As one analyst put it, “When an institution that manages national identity systems adds a feature like this, it makes citizens question the credibility of the entire digital transformation process.”
NADRA responds with a fix
Faced with growing criticism and questions from media outlets, NADRA moved swiftly to fix the feature. The authority has now removed the “myself” option altogether and introduced a more logical process.
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Under the updated system, relatives of the deceased are required to confirm their family relationship before initiating the ID cancellation process. To support this, the latest version of the PakID app now integrates a family tree feature, making it easier for relatives to identify and process the relevant records.
According to a NADRA spokesperson, the “myself” option had been the result of “confusion” during the development of the service. The official clarified that the feature was always meant for relatives, not for self-reporting, and assured users that the correction had closed the loophole.
Importance of digital governance
The incident has reignited discussions on digital governance in Pakistan, especially in agencies that deal with critical public data. NADRA has been at the forefront of digitizing identity management, voter registration, and biometric verification systems.
While its initiatives — such as smart ID cards, biometric verification for telecom services, and the PakID app — have been praised globally, critics argue that lapses like this undermine trust.
Digital rights activist Nighat Dad noted that while introducing new technology is commendable, “robust testing, user-centered design, and transparency are essential when services deal with something as sensitive as personal identity.”
What the new process looks like
In the updated PakID app, users who need to cancel the identity card of a deceased family member must now:
- Log in with their verified credentials.
- Select the “Cancel Identity Due to Death” option.
- Confirm their relationship with the deceased through the integrated family tree database.
- Provide supporting documents if required.
This process not only eliminates the illogical self-reporting flaw but also ensures greater accountability by requiring family confirmation. NADRA officials say this will help reduce fraudulent attempts at ID cancellation.
Lessons for Pakistan’s digital future
While the controversy has been largely resolved, experts suggest the incident should serve as a lesson for NADRA and other government institutions pushing digital initiatives.
- Proper user experience (UX) testing is crucial before launching public-facing applications.
- Sensitive features require consultation with stakeholders, including legal experts and digital rights groups.
- Transparency in acknowledging errors and fixing them quickly — as NADRA has done here — can help rebuild public trust.
Despite the embarrassment, many observers welcomed the quick correction and argued that this shows NADRA’s willingness to listen to public feedback.
Conclusion
NADRA’s correction of the bizarre “self-death reporting” option in its PakID app underscores the challenges of digitization in sensitive public services. While the initial lapse triggered widespread ridicule, the swift update has addressed confusion and introduced a more practical, family-centered process.
As Pakistan continues to expand its digital governance initiatives, this episode highlights the importance of clarity, user trust, and careful design — ensuring that national digital services meet the seriousness their functions demand.
