ISLAMABAD: National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has clarified the procedure for including the designation “Resident of AJK State” on Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs), refuting rumours of a policy change, local media sources reported.

In a statement, NADRA said the designation is imprinted in black on Smart CNICs and in red on regular CNICs. Applicants must submit a valid State Subject Certificate issued by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government to qualify for this imprint. “Rumours of changes to this policy circulating on social media are baseless and spread with ulterior motives,” NADRA said, adding that over 50,000 CNICs with the “Resident of AJK State” designation were issued between December 2024 and January 2025. The authority explained that some omissions were due to applicants failing to submit the required State Subject Certificate or data entry errors during processing. NADRA has proactively contacted affected individuals and arranged for free reissuance of corrected CNICs. Applicants who did not initially provide the certificate are urged to reapply with the necessary documents and pay the requisite fees.