If you have seen a graphic circulating on Facebook or X claiming that NADRA has slashed its CNIC renewal fees to zero, stop. Do not forward it. Do not celebrate yet.
It is fake news.
A viral image, captioned “NADRA has reduced the fees for Identity Cards”, shows a fee chart where the cost for CNIC Renewal is listed as PKR 0. This is factually incorrect and misleading.
The Reality: You Still Have to Pay
TechJuice cross-referenced the viral image with official NADRA data. There is a clear discrepancy here.
While New Registration (for your first ID card) is indeed free, and has been for years, renewing an expired card is not.
Here is the breakdown of the lie versus the reality for a Standard (Simple) CNIC:
| Service | Viral Image Claims | Official Reality |
| New CNIC | PKR 0 (Free) | PKR 0 (Free) |
| CNIC Renewal | PKR 0 (Free) | PKR 400 |
| Urgent Fee | PKR 1,150 | PKR 1,150 |
| Executive Fee | PKR 2,150 | PKR 2,150 |
The “New” NADRA Rates Are Actually Ancient
The most damning evidence against this “fee reduction” narrative is history. The rates shown in the legitimate column above (PKR 400 for renewal, PKR 1,150 for urgent) are not new.
In fact, the fee structure for the Simple CNIC has remained static since 2018.
There was no sudden meeting in Islamabad this week to drop prices. The viral image simply took an old fee table and edited the Renewal cost to zero, likely to generate cheap engagement on social media.
Don’t Confuse Simple with Smart
Another layer of confusion comes from the card type. The rates discussed here apply to the Simple CNIC (the older, black-and-white style).
Most Pakistanis now use the Smart CNIC (with the chip). The fees for Smart CNICs are significantly higher:
- Normal Renewal: PKR 750
- Urgent: PKR 1,500
- Executive: PKR 2,500
If you walk into a NADRA Mega Centre expecting a free renewal for your Smart Card based on a doctored internet image, you will be disappointed.
NADRA has not announced a free renewal policy for 2026. Always verify fee structures directly through the official NADRA website or their helpline before planning your visit. Misinformation wastes your time and clogs up service centres.
