Nadra Introduction
NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) is the government organization in Pakistan responsible for issuing Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) and maintaining records of citizens. It was established in 2000 to create a secure and digital system for identity verification.
NADRA helps in many important areas like citizen registration, passport processing, voter records, and biometric verification. It ensures that every Pakistani has a unique identity number that is used for legal and financial purposes. The process to get a CNIC is simple. Visit a NADRA center, provide their documents, fingerprints, and photographs, and receive their card after verification.
What is CNIC
CNIC stands for Computerised National Identity Card, a form of official identification issued by NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority). It serves as proof of identity and is required for various legal, financial, and governmental processes. Every Pakistani aged 18 or above must have a CNIC to access basic services like opening a bank account, getting a SIM card, voting in elections, and applying for a passport.
A CNIC contains important details such as the holder’s name, father’s or spouse’s name, date of birth, unique 13-digit identification number, permanent address, and biometric data (fingerprints & photo). NADRA uses an advanced system to ensure that every citizen has a unique CNIC, reducing identity fraud.
What is NICOP
For Pakistanis living abroad, NADRA issues NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis), helping them stay connected to their home country. The organization also provides online verification services, making it easy to check CNIC details from anywhere.
Nadra CNIC Codes of Pakistani Cities – Understanding the 13-Digit Number
Every Pakistani CNIC (Computerised National Identity Card) has a unique 13-digit number assigned by NADRA. This number serves as an identity marker and contains important information about the cardholder, including their province, division, district, tehsil, union council, family, and gender.
How is the CNIC Number Structured?
The 13-digit CNIC number is divided into three main parts:
First Part (Province, Division & District Code) – 5 Digits
The first digit represents the province or territory where the CNIC was issued:
- 1 – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- 2 – Former FATA (now merged into KPK)
- 3 – Punjab
- 4 – Sindh
- 5 – Balochistan
- 6 – Islamabad
- 7 – Gilgit-Baltistan
- 8 – Azad Jammu & Kashmir
- The second digit specifies the division within the province.
- The last three digits in this section correspond to the district, tehsil, and union council of the cardholder.
Second Part (Family Code) – 7 Digits
- This middle portion represents a family tree number, which links all family members together under NADRA’s database.
Third Part (Gender Identifier) – 1 Digit
- The final digit identifies the gender of the cardholder:
- Odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) – Male
- Even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) – Female
This unique structure ensures that every Pakistani citizen has a distinct identity number, which helps in official verification and national record-keeping.
CNIC Codes for Pakistani Provinces
Each province and territory uses a unique CNIC number starting code:
| Province/Territory | CNIC Code Format |
|---|---|
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 1XXXX-XXXXXXX-X |
| Former FATA (Now Merged with KPK) | 2XXXX-XXXXXXX-X |
| Punjab | 3XXXX-XXXXXXX-X |
| Sindh | 4XXXX-XXXXXXX-X |
| Balochistan | 5XXXX-XXXXXXX-X |
| Islamabad Capital Territory | 6XXXX-XXXXXXX-X |
| Gilgit-Baltistan | 7XXXX-XXXXXXX-X |
| Azad Jammu & Kashmir | 8XXXX-XXXXXXX-X |
CNIC Codes for Divisions in Pakistan
Each province is further divided into divisions, which also have unique CNIC codes:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Divisions
- Bannu Division – 11XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Dera Ismail Khan Division – 12XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Hazara Division – 13XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Kohat Division – 14XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Malakand Division – 15XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Mardan Division – 16XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Peshawar Division – 17XXX-XXXXXXX-X
Punjab Divisions
- Bahawalpur Division – 31XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Dera Ghazi Khan Division – 32XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Faisalabad Division – 33XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Gujranwala & Gujrat Division – 34XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Lahore Division – 35XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Multan & Sahiwal Division – 36XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Rawalpindi Division – 37XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Sargodha & Mianwali Division – 38XXX-XXXXXXX-X
Sindh Divisions
- Hyderabad Division – 41XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Karachi Division – 42XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Larkana Division – 43XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Mirpur Khas Division – 44XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Sukkur & Shaheed Benazirabad Division – 45XXX-XXXXXXX-X
Balochistan Divisions
- Kalat & Rakhshan Division – 51XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Makran Division – 52XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Nasirabad Division – 53XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Quetta Division – 54XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Sibi Division – 55XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Zhob & Loralai Division – 56XXX-XXXXXXX-X
Islamabad Capital Territory
- Islamabad – 61XXX-XXXXXXX-X
Gilgit-Baltistan Divisions
- Gilgit, Baltistan & Diamer Division – 71XXX-XXXXXXX-X
Azad Jammu & Kashmir Divisions
- Mirpur Division – 81XXX-XXXXXXX-X
- Poonch & Muzaffarabad Division – 82XXX-XXXXXXX-X
How to Check City Name through CNIC?
To check the city name, you can start by analyzing the CNIC number. The initial digits of the CNIC often correspond to specific regions or cities, providing a general idea of the location. However, for a more accurate result, you can use NADRA online CNIC verification . By entering the CNIC number into a designated system, you will receive detailed information about the cardholder, including their registered city.
Conclusion
The CNIC number is a unique identifier that carries essential details about a person’s location, family background, and gender. By following a structured numbering system, NADRA ensures that every Pakistani citizen is properly registered and verifiable within the national database. Understanding this system helps individuals verify their CNIC details and stay informed about their national identity documentation.
