The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has quietly revised a controversial feature in its PakID mobile app following widespread public criticism and ridicule.
Earlier this month, reports highlighted a puzzling element in the app: a “Cancel Identity Due to Death” option that offered two selections—one for relatives of the deceased and another labeled “Myself.” Choosing the latter prompted users to complete a liveness check via facial recognition, sparking immediate confusion about how a deceased person could verify their own death.
The feature quickly became a viral talking point on social media, attracting jokes and criticism over the apparent oversight in the app’s design.
Changes Aim to Clarify Process
In response to growing scrutiny, NADRA has removed the “Myself” option entirely. The updated process now requires relatives to verify their connection to the deceased before an ID card can be canceled. This adjustment not only eliminates the oddity but also strengthens safeguards against misuse.
The new app iteration also introduces a family tree function, making it easier for users to navigate and ensuring the cancellation process is more intuitive. A NADRA spokesperson described the self-reporting option as a result of “confusion” and stressed that the service was always intended for family members, not individuals reporting their own death.
This episode highlights the challenges government agencies face as they digitize services—seemingly small design decisions can quickly escalate into public controversy when user experience and logical consistency are overlooked.
