NADRA Name Misuse Can Bring Jail and Fine
Anyone who uses the name, logo or emblem of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) without its permission can face up to three years in prison, a fine, or both. The authority issued the warning in a public notice shared on X, as it moves against NADRA name misuse in print, on air and online.
NADRA said its name, its abbreviation, logo, emblem, trademark and other related material are its legal intellectual property. ProPakistani reported that using or copying those marks, or presenting them as one’s own name or identity, without written permission is strictly prohibited and illegal. The ban covers all media, including print, electronic, digital and social media.
Any violation is an offence under Sections 482 to 486 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 and the Trade Marks Ordinance 2001. Legal action can result in imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both.
NADRA name misuse: what is banned
The notice draws a wide line. It covers the NADRA name and abbreviation, the logo and emblem, the trademark, and any related material that suggests a link with the authority. A business, a page or a person cannot use those marks to present itself as NADRA, or as linked to NADRA, without written permission from the authority.
The ban applies across every medium. A shop board, a newspaper advertisement, a television segment, a website or a social media page all fall under the same rule. The point, NADRA said, is that citizens should be able to tell at once whether a service is genuinely run by the authority.
Penalties for each offence
NADRA also listed separate punishments for specific violations, so the penalty depends on what was done:
| Offence | Punishment |
|---|---|
| Using a false trademark | Up to one year in prison |
| Counterfeiting trademarks | Up to two years in prison |
| False marking | Up to six months in prison |
| Any misuse of NADRA’s name or marks | Up to three years in prison, a fine, or both |
The three specific penalties sit under the Pakistan Penal Code and the Trade Marks Ordinance. The overall ceiling of three years applies to the wider offence of misusing the authority’s name, logo or emblem without permission.
Fake pages on social media
The authority said pages on Facebook and other social media platforms that use NADRA’s name, or similar names, also violate these laws. It is taking legal action against such pages and steps to get them taken down.
NADRA urged citizens to confirm that any organisation or person claiming to be linked with it is genuine before making any transaction or contact. It also advised people to follow only its official social media accounts for accurate information.
The warning follows earlier alerts from the authority about fake websites using its name and fake agents targeting overseas Pakistanis. Those scams typically ask people to pay for identity cards, family registration certificates or other NADRA services through unofficial channels.
Why the warning matters for citizens
Millions of Pakistanis deal with NADRA every year for identity cards, birth and family records, and biometric verification. A fake page that copies the NADRA logo can look convincing, and a payment made to it is hard to recover. The notice gives citizens a clear rule: if a page or agent claims a NADRA link, check it against the authority’s official accounts first.
NADRA offices stayed closed on November 9 for Iqbal Day, which disrupted routine visits for a day. A NADRA official’s killing in Hayatabad was traced through CCTV footage earlier this month. The authority’s services touch daily life, from identity cards to the official blue passports that Pakistan has cut from 74,000 to 49,000. Fraudsters exploit that reach, which is why the cybercrime agency has warned shoppers about scams during the 11.11 sales. For now, the safest step is simple: use only NADRA’s own offices and official accounts, and treat any other claim with care.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as misusing NADRA’s name?
Using or copying NADRA’s name, abbreviation, logo, emblem or trademark, or presenting them as one’s own identity, without the authority’s written permission counts as misuse.
What punishment can NADRA name misuse bring?
Misuse can bring up to three years in prison, a fine, or both, under Sections 482 to 486 of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Trade Marks Ordinance 2001.
Does the ban cover social media pages?
Yes. The ban covers all media, including print, electronic, digital and social media. NADRA said fake pages using its name violate the law and it is taking action to get them taken down.
How can citizens check if a NADRA page is genuine?
NADRA advised citizens to confirm that any organisation or person claiming a link with it is genuine before any transaction, and to follow only its official social media accounts.
Why did NADRA issue the warning now?
The warning follows earlier alerts about fake websites using NADRA’s name and fake agents targeting overseas Pakistanis, and it targets a fresh wave of fake pages on social media.
