Old enough to work, but can't prove age - The Express Tribune

Imagine being old enough to support a family but unable to prove your age because your birth was never officially recorded. I recently met a young man who wanted to earn a living by driving a rickshaw. He told me he was 21 and married, yet a NADRA employee had verbally declared him ineligible for a CNIC because he appeared too young. Without a birth certificate, establishing his age had become an obstacle to pursuing a livelihood. His experience reflects a larger issue that rarely receives sufficient attention. According to Sindh’s 2018–19 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, only 34 per cent of children under five had their births registered. In rural areas, the figure was just 17 per cent. These children do not remain children forever. They grow into adults who may struggle to obtain identity documents, driving licences and access to formal employment. NADRA’s February 2026 decision to facilitate certain CNIC applications without birth certificates is a welcome step. However, its special provision for men applies only to those older than 24, subject to verification requirements. Local authorities and NADRA must establish accessible procedures for late registration, provide clear guidance to applicants with missing records, and extend documentation assistance to underserved communities. A child has no control over whether their birth is registered. Why should they spend adulthood paying the price? Syed Zakirullah Tahami Karachi

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