My Frustrating Experience with NADRA’s Biometric System

Getting things done in Pakistan often feels like an uphill battle. But nothing prepared me for the nightmare of updating my mother’s biometric verification at NADRA.

I needed to complete some bank work, which required my mother’s fingerprints for verification. The problem? Her fingerprints never scan properly. This issue keeps recurring, and every time we need to verify her identity, we must go through the same frustrating process—rushing to NADRA to update her biometric record.

As people age, their fingerprints fade, making biometric scans difficult. Yet, NADRA offers no alternative verification method. Every time my mother needs fingerprint verification, we must endure this exhausting ordeal, even though her fingerprints won’t magically regenerate.

A Shocking Reality at NADRA

We had no other option, so we rushed to the nearest NADRA office, hoping to get the update done quickly. But as soon as we arrived, we lost all hope. A massive queue stretched outside the building. To our surprise, out of 10 available counters, only two were functional.

The line was unbearably long. People were waiting for hours—some for as long as 10 hours! Can you imagine standing for that long just for a simple fingerprint update? Among them were older people, disabled persons, and families who had no choice but to endure the chaos. The NADRA staff, instead of facilitating the people, seemed indifferent to their suffering.

Missed Deadlines and Extreme Inconvenience

We were already short on time. The bank required the updated biometrics on the same day, and because of NADRA’s slow system, there was no way we could get it done in time. This meant wasted effort, lost time, and additional stress—all because of a system that refuses to evolve.

My mother, like many others, suffered through this inconvenience. It’s utterly unfair that we have to go through the same hassle every single time just to update her biometrics.

It’s not just my mother—this issue affects thousands of older people across Pakistan. Their fingerprints fade with age, making verification nearly impossible. Yet, NADRA refuses to introduce alternative solutions to accommodate them.

The Inhumane Conditions at NADRA Offices

The situation at NADRA offices is a disgrace. People stood in line for hours in the scorching heat. Many were visibly exhausted. Some had been waiting since early morning, yet had no idea when their turn would come.

I saw people of all ages and genders struggling to stand. I saw disabled individuals, frustrated and helpless. The lack of proper seating arrangements, inadequate staffing, and poor management made an already frustrating experience even worse.

Instead of addressing these issues, NADRA officials moved at a snail’s pace. The operational counters processed applications inefficiently at an agonizingly slow rate. Meanwhile, staff members engaged in casual conversations and completely ignored the growing frustration of the people waiting in line.

Why Does This Keep Happening?

It’s a valid question—why does NADRA fail to improve its system despite the obvious flaws? The problem is not new. People have been complaining about the inefficiency of NADRA offices for years, yet no real changes have been made.

Some possible reasons include:

1. Lack of Sufficient Staff: With only two counters functional out of ten, it’s clear that there aren’t enough employees handling the workload.
2. No Alternative Verification Methods: NADRA still relies entirely on fingerprint verification, despite knowing that many older people struggle with it.
3. Poor Management: Instead of streamlining processes, NADRA continues to operate in a way that causes unnecessary delays and frustration for the public.

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NADRA Needs to Fix This

It’s high time NADRA acknowledges this problem and provides a permanent solution for older people and those with biometric difficulties.

• Introduce Alternative Verification Methods: Why can’t NADRA use facial recognition or retina scans for those whose fingerprints don’t scan?
• Increase Staffing and Improve Efficiency: More staff should be deployed, and all available counters should be functional to reduce waiting times.
• Provide Priority Services for older people and Disabled Individuals: There should be separate counters for older people and disabled persons to ensure they don’t have to wait in long queues.
• Implement Online Solutions: Biometric updates should be scheduled via online appointments to reduce unnecessary crowding at NADRA offices.

Final Thoughts

Biometric verification is supposed to make life easier, but in Pakistan, it’s doing the opposite. If NADRA doesn’t fix this soon, more and more people will continue to suffer through this unnecessary ordeal.

No one should have to wait 10 hours just to update their fingerprints. No older people should have to suffer through the same frustrating process every few months. NADRA needs to take immediate action and bring real improvements to its system.

This is not just about my experience. This is about thousands of Pakistanis who face this issue every day. It’s time for change.

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