The National Database and Registration Authority stated that expatriate citizens are able to sign up on the Pak ID application using their foreign telephone numbers when requesting identification papers, such as the National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis.
This statement followed an inquiry from a Canadian national during a NADRA podcast regarding how expatriates might request a NICOP without possessing a local telephone number.
Syed Shabahat Ali, a spokesperson for NADRA, clarified that individuals do not require a local SIM card to set up a profile or request documents through the software. Users simply choose their current nation and input an active local telephone number instead.
NADRA noted that numerous expatriates already use the Pak ID software to obtain official assistance. Yet, certain users encounter registration hurdles because the platform seemingly demands a local telephone number.
The agency clarified that this complication arises when individuals pick Pakistan as their place of residence during sign-up. The software subsequently asks for a local telephone number to transmit a one-time password for profile confirmation.
How Overseas Pakistanis Can Register on Pak ID
To prevent this difficulty, NADRA instructed expatriate users to pick the nation where they currently reside when establishing a profile.
As an illustration, a citizen living in Canada ought to pick Canada as their residence and provide their Canadian telephone number. They will then obtain the confirmation code, enable their profile, and use the platform services.
After completing registration, users can use the network to request a NICOP and alternative identification papers without needing a local telephone number.
NADRA emphasized that a telephone number is still required to enable a digital identity on the Pak ID platform. Nevertheless, the telephone number can originate from the user's current nation of residence instead of Pakistan.
