National Database and Registration Authority (Application for Pakistan Origin Card) Regulations, 2025

1. Short title, commencement and application.-(1) These regulations may be called the National Database and Registration Authority (Application For Pakistan Origin Card) Regulations, 2025. (2) They shall come into force at once. (3) They shall apply to all applicants, holders, and beneficiaries of the Pakistan Origin Card (POC) issued under Section 11 of the NADRA Ordinance 2000.

2. Definitions.-(1) In these regulations, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context- (a) "Authority" means the National Database and Registration Authority established under section 3 of the Ordinance; (b) "Applicant" means a person who applies for registration, renewal, re-print, correction, or any other service relating to a Pakistan Origin Card; (c) "Card" shall have the same meaning as rule 2(1)(b) of the National Database and Registration Authority (Pakistan Origin Card) Rules, 2002; (d) "Dual-national country" means a state with which Pakistan has entered into a dual-nationality arrangement recognized by the Federal Government; (e) "Ex-Pakistani" means a person who was a citizen of Pakistan at any time but has ceased to be so under the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951; (f) "Foreign spouse" means a person holding nationality or citizenship of a country other than Pakistan who is married to a Pakistani citizen or to a person of Pakistani origin; (g) "Ordinance" means the National Database and Registration Authority Ordinance, 2000 (VIII of 2000); (h) "POC Rules" means the National Database and Registration Authority (Pakistan Origin Card) Rules, 2002; (i) "Prescribed form" means the Pakistan Origin Card Form (POCF) approved by the Authority for application, renewal, re-print, correction, or surrender of card; (j) "Relative" shall have the same meaning as rule 2(1)(i) of the National Database and Registration Authority (Pakistan Origin Card) Rules, 2002; (k) "Schedule" means the Schedule attached at the end of these regulations; (l) "Single-national country" means a state with which Pakistan does not have a dual-nationality arrangement; (m) "Verification Board" means a board constituted by the Authority to examine cases requiring verification of Pakistani origin or linkage. (2) Words and expressions used but not defined in these regulations shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Ordinance or the POC Rules 2002.

3. Benefits of the Pakistan Origin Card.-(1) A valid POC holder shall- (a) enter Pakistan without a visa under conditions prescribed for citizens under Section 13 of the Passport Act 1974; (b) remain in Pakistan for the period of card validity; (c) be exempt, as a foreigner, from registration or reporting requirements under any other law; (d) open and operate bank accounts; (e) purchase, hold, or dispose of movable or immovable property subject to applicable law; (f) use the card as proof of identity wherever a CNIC is required; and (g) seek employment or business opportunities subject to law.

4. Design and validity.-(1) The card shall conform to ISO 7810 (85.6 mm x 54 mm). (2) Validity shall be- (a) seven (7) years for Pakistan-origin individuals; and (b) five (5) years for spouse-based POC holders. (3) Printing shall be in accordance with Schedules I and II of Rule 11 of the POC Rules 2002.

5. Categories of eligibility.-(1) A person may be issued a POC if he or she falls within any of the following categories- (a) Ex-Pakistani; (b) Person belonging to territories formerly part of East Pakistan; (c) Foreign national having parents or grandparents of Pakistani origin; (d) Spouse of a Pakistani citizen or person of Pakistani origin; or (e) Dependent child of a foreign spouse, as detailed in Regulations 6 to 10.

6. Ex-Pakistani category.-(1) A person who was at any time a citizen of Pakistan but no longer holds Pakistani citizenship may apply under Rule 4(1). (2) The applicant shall submit- (a) application in prescribed form; (b) CNIC, NICOP, Pakistani passport, domicile, citizenship, or renunciation certificate; and (c) valid foreign passport. (3) The previous CNIC or NICOP shall first be cancelled under nationality-surrender category. (4) Where names differ between Pakistani and foreign documents but link is established, an Undertaking C-3 as specified in Schedule I of these regulations shall be provided for issuance in the name appearing on the foreign passport.

7. Persons belonging to former East Pakistan territories.-(1) Applicants covered by Rule 4(2) may be granted a POC if they acquired foreign nationality before 16 December 1971. (2) Required documents- (a) application; (b) valid foreign passport; (c) Pakistani passport, domicile, or citizenship certificate; (d) identity document of a living Pakistani relative (grandparent, sibling, child, cousin, etc.); and (e) Undertaking E as specified in Schedule III by such relative confirming relationship.

8. Parents, grandparents and family of foreigner of Pakistan origin.-(1) Under Rule 4(4), any person having a parent or grandparent who is or was a citizen or national of Pakistan may apply. (2) Documents required- (a) valid foreign passport; (b) proof of parent's or grandparent's Pakistani origin (CNIC, NICOP, POC, Pakistani passport, domicile, or birth certificate); and (c) birth certificate or other evidence linking the applicant with the Pakistani ancestor. (3) Where one parent or grandparent is foreign, the applicant shall provide- (a) birth certificate with both parents' particulars; and (b) documents evidencing Pakistani parent's origin and foreign parent's nationality. (4) Where no direct record exists, CNIC or POC of real siblings or close relatives and Undertaking E shall suffice. (5) Applications from persons whose parents hold Indian, Israeli, or Bangladeshi nationality shall not be entertained. (6) Approving Officers shall ensure definite confirmation of Pakistani origin and linkage.

9. Spouse of Pakistani citizen or person of Pakistani origin.-(1) Under Rule 4(5), a foreign spouse of a Pakistani or POC holder may apply. (2) Where spouse is alive- (a) application; (b) valid foreign passport; (c) birth certificate; (d) CNIC/NICOP/POC number of spouse; (e) marriage certificate; and (f) Undertaking F as specified in Schedule IV of these regulations by Pakistani spouse; biometric verification optional. (3) Where spouse is deceased- (a) application; (b) foreign passport; (c) birth certificate; (d) identity of deceased spouse; (e) marriage certificate; (f) death certificate; and (g) Undertaking G as specified in Schedule V of these regulations by applicant. (4) Cases involving nationals of countries listed in Schedule B shall require prior verification from the Ministry of Interior. (5) In case of divorce, the Pakistani spouse shall notify the Authority and the POC shall stand cancelled.

10. Dependent child of foreign spouse.-(1) Under Rule 5(1), dependent children of applicants under Regulation 9 may be issued POCs. (2) Documents- (a) foreign passport; (b) birth certificate showing parents' names; (c) marriage certificate of parents; and (d) Undertaking H as specified in Schedule VI from Pakistani spouse. (3) Dependency shall be evidenced by Embassy/Consulate letter or attested undertaking of the foreign spouse. (4) If Pakistani spouse is deceased, Ministry of Interior approval shall be required.

11. General eligibility conditions.-(1) Applicants shall not be citizens of India, Israel, Bangladesh, or any state not recognized by Pakistan. (2) BM-series manual Pakistani passports shall not be accepted. (3) Permanent address of Pakistani relative must be in Pakistan. (4) POCF shall be attested by any CNIC, NICOP, or POC holder. (5) Dual-national Pakistanis are advised to obtain NICOP; those who elect for POC shall submit Undertaking D as specified in Schedule II of these regulations stating reasons.

12. Re-print, renewal and office-mistake.-(1) Office mistake: (a) Application with original POC; (b) Attestation by any CNIC/NICOP/POC holder; (c) Processed free of charge at any registration unit. (2) Re-print or renewal- (a) Application with existing POC; (b) No additional document except for spouse-based category where verification may be required; (c) For POCs issued before 2008, proof of origin shall be re-verified through birth certificate or CNIC/NICOP of Pakistani relative. (3) Biometrics shall be updated at each renewal.

13. Change or correction in POC particulars.-(1) Changes in name, DOB, nationality, gender, passport number, address, or marital status shall be processed on submission of- (a) application with original POC; and (b) documentary proof such as foreign passport with modified information, property or tenancy record for address, or relevant certificates for marital events. (2) Religion may be corrected upon declaration on POC Form; conversion from Islam to another faith shall not be allowed unless pursuant to an order of a High Court. (3) Reversion to Islam shall be allowed at any time. (4) Errors due to illiteracy may be treated as office fault.

14. Delivery of Pakistan Origin Card.-(1) The card may be delivered- (a) to the applicant in person (with or without token slip); (b) to a relative or spouse with original token slip; (c) to an authorized person with authority letter and identity document; or (d) through home-delivery or courier service. (2) Identity of recipient and authority letter shall be retained in the official record. (3) Upon divorce of foreign spouse, the POC shall stand cancelled forthwith.

15. Cancellation and surrender.-(1) A POC or any NADRA identity document may be cancelled under Section 17 of the Ordinance- (a) upon death of holder; (b) upon renunciation or resumption of Pakistani citizenship; or (c) upon divorce of a foreign spouse. (2) Documents required- (a) application as specified in Schedule VII of these regulations by blood relative, spouse, or applicant; (b) original card, where available; and (c) verified death certificate, renunciation or resumption certificate, or divorce papers as applicable. (3) Where Pakistani citizenship is resumed, the applicant shall surrender the POC and may apply for CNIC or NICOP accordingly. (4) The cancelled card shall be punched and returned to the applicant; digital record shall reflect status as cancelled. (5) For avoidance of doubt- (a) "single-national country" means a country with which Pakistan has no dual-nationality arrangement; (b) "dual-national country" means a country with which such arrangement exists. (6) No attestation shall be required for cancellation cases.