Understanding Your NADRA CNIC City Codes Made Simple

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) oversees Pakistan’s national identity system. It is internationally recognized for implementing a secure and advanced database system that effectively identifies citizens.

NADRA provides essential services related to the issuance of identity documents, such as the Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC). The organization plays a crucial role in ensuring security, verifying identities, and delivering citizen services throughout the country.

Importance of the CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) for Pakistani Citizens

The CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) is the most important legal identification document for Pakistani citizens aged 18 and older. It enables individuals to access essential services such as voting, opening a bank account, registering for SIM cards, and obtaining passports. Without a CNIC, it becomes difficult to access these services, making it essential for every adult citizen to have one.

Structure of the 13-digit CNIC Number

The CNIC number consists of 13 digits, each serving a specific purpose:

1. First 5 digits: These identify the cardholder’s province, division, district, tehsil, and union council. For example, the first digit indicates the province (1 for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 3 for Punjab, etc.).
2. Next 7 digits: These numbers are randomly generated and represent the individual’s unique identifier within their family tree.
3. Last digit: This digit signifies the cardholder’s gender—odd numbers for males and even for females.

By understanding this breakdown, citizens can gain better insight into how their CNIC reflects personal and regional information.

Understanding the 13-digit CNIC Number

The 13-digit CNIC number assigned by NADRA is not a random string; each segment has a specific meaning related to a person’s geographic location and personal identity. Let’s break it down simply:

Breakdown of the 13 Digits in the CNIC

The CNIC number is divided into three parts:
1. First 5 digits: These identify the cardholder’s location.
2. Middle 7 digits: This segment represents the person’s family and is unique to each family member.
3. Last digit: This indicates the person’s gender.

Province Identification (First Digit)

The first digit shows which province the person belongs to:

1. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)
2. Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)
3. Punjab
4. Sindh
5. Balochistan
6. Islamabad
7. Gilgit Baltistan.

Division, District, Tehsil, and Union Council (Next Four Digits)

The second digit indicates the division within the province. The remaining three digits represent the district, tehsil (sub-district), and union council. For instance, a person from Lahore may have “352” in this part of their CNIC.

Family and Individual ID identifier (Middle 7 Digits)

The central segment of the CNIC, distinguished by hyphens, serves as the family identifier, linking all members of a family under a unified code. This system effectively establishes a “family tree” within the NADRA database.

Gender Identification (Last Digit)

The last digit of the CNIC tells the gender of the person.

• Odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) are assigned to males.
• Even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8) are assigned to females.

Province and Division Codes in CNIC

Each Pakistani citizen’s CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) has a unique 13-digit number. The first digit of this number identifies the province of the individual. The subsequent digits provide additional details, such as the division within the province to which the individual belongs. Here’s a breakdown of how these codes are structured:

First Digit: Province Identification

The first digit in the CNIC indicates the province of residence:

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)

• Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)

• Punjab

• Sindh

• Balochistan

• Islamabad Capital Territory

• Gilgit-Baltistan.

Second Digit: Division Identification

The second digit provides the division within the province. Each province has multiple divisions, and every division is assigned a specific code. For example:

• In Sindh, the Karachi Division has the code “42,” while Hyderabad is “41.”
• In Balochistan, the Quetta Division is represented by “54”.

The structure of this system allows for accurate identification of each cardholder’s location. By utilizing these codes, every CNIC number issued in Pakistan is unique and directly associated with a specific geographic area. This organized method facilitates the recording and verification of citizens’ identities, ensuring that each number conveys significant information about the individual it represents.

District Codes and City Identification in the CNIC

In Pakistan, the CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) number is structured to provide information about the cardholder’s geographic location. Specifically, the third, fourth, and fifth digits of the CNIC indicate the district, tehsil (sub-district), and union council of the cardholder. This part of the CNIC helps identify the individual’s city and district.

Explanation of District and Tehsil Codes

• The third digit refers to the district, which is a primary administrative unit within the province.
• The fourth digit indicates the tehsil within the district. If this digit is “0”, it suggests that the tehsil and district are the same (as in large cities).
• The fifth digit points to the union council of the area, which further narrows down the exact locality.

For example, in the CNIC number 35202:

• 3 refers to Punjab Province.
• 5 identifies the Lahore Division.
• 2 indicates Lahore District.
• 0 shows that the district and tehsil are the same, meaning the person is from Lahore city​.

Major City Codes

Here is a list of major city codes in Pakistan and their corresponding districts:

How to Identify the City from CNIC Code

To identify a person’s city from their CNIC, examine the third to fifth digits of the number. These digits indicate the district and tehsil of the cardholder, corresponding to specific regions. For example, if someone’s CNIC number starts with 421, it means they are from Karachi.

This system allows for precise tracking and identification of an individual’s location based on their CNIC number, thereby streamlining administrative processes.

Why City Codes Are Important

The city codes within the CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) number in Pakistan play an essential role in various legal and administrative processes. Each part of the CNIC helps identify not just an individual but also their location, which is crucial for accessing many services and rights.

Practical Applications of Knowing Your City Code

• Voter Registration

1. 1. • City codes help in identifying the voting district of a citizen. This ensures that individuals are correctly registered in the appropriate location for voting during elections, ensuring accurate representation and participation.

• Tax and Legal Identification

1. 1. • The city code within a CNIC is often required for tax registration and documentation. It helps ensure that citizens are paying taxes within the correct jurisdiction, and it also simplifies legal identification for court cases or business dealings.

• Emergency and Government Services

1. • During times of emergency, such as natural disasters or health crises, the government can quickly identify the location of individuals using their CNIC data. This helps authorities to direct resources and aid efficiently to the affected areas.
   • Many other government services like passport issuance, SIM card registration, and healthcare access rely on correct city identification for proper processing.

The city code in a CNIC number is crucial for personal identification and has significant implications for administrative and legal processes at the national level. This coding system facilitates the efficient provision of essential services and ensures the accurate allocation of rights and responsibilities among citizens.

Other Useful NADRA Codes

NADRA provides various SMS-based services that enable users to access important information using their CNIC, eliminating the need for an office visit. These services help citizens stay informed about different aspects of their data, SIM registrations, and voter status.

Commonly Used NADRA SMS Codes

1. Code 668: Checking SIMs Registered on a CNIC
   To check how many SIMs are registered under your CNIC, simply send your CNIC number (without dashes) to 668. This service provides a list of all SIM cards associated with your CNIC on different networks, helping you keep track of your mobile connections and identify any unauthorized registrations.
2. Code 8300: Checking Voter Registration
   To verify your voter registration, send your CNIC number (without dashes) to 8300. You will receive a reply containing the details of your registered voting district, ensuring that you are correctly listed for the elections.

How to Use These Codes for Quick Access to NADRA Services

Using these services is very simple:

• Open the SMS app on your phone.
• Type the designated code along with your CNIC number (without any dashes).
• Send the message to the specified number (e.g., 668 or 8300).
• You will receive a response with the requested information within a few moments.

These SMS services provide a fast and convenient way to access NADRA-related information, saving you time and effort by eliminating the need for in-person visits.

Conclusion

The NADRA CNIC system is a vital part of Pakistan’s administrative framework, enabling efficient identification and access to essential services for citizens. By understanding the structure and codes within your CNIC, you can uncover important details about your identity, family, and location. This knowledge is particularly useful for voting, tax registration, and accessing emergency or government services.