Claim: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has changed the process for obtaining a Child Registration Certificate (CRC), also known as the B-Form. A new law in 2024 specifies that these certificates will be issued only to children under the age of seven.
Fact: The authority has not changed the process of obtaining a B-Form and it does not have any plans to do so either.
Fact or Fiction?
On 3 December 2023, Facebook user Assad Dildar Khan Swati claimed that NADRA has changed the process for obtaining a child registration certificate urging parents to get their children’s B-form made by 31 December 2023.
The post reads,
“تممام والدین 31 دسمبر 2023 تک اپنے بچوں کے فارم-ب یا برتھ سرٹیفکیٹ ضروری بنالیں
2024 میں نئے قانون کے مطابق سات سال تک بچوں کو فارم-ب یا برتھ سرٹیفکیٹ جاری ہے۔
7 سال بچوں کے لیے میڈیکل سرکیٹ ضروری چاہیے جس میں آپ کے والدین کا مال اور وقت دونوں
تمام دوست احباب کو بھیجیں تاکہ زیادہ سے زیادہ لوگوں تک یہ پہنچ سکے اور استفادہ حاصل کر کے جزاک اللہ
[All parents must make a B-Form or birth certificate of their children by 31 December 2023
As per the new law in 2024, the B-Form or birth certificate is issued to children until the age of seven
A medical certificate for 7-year-old children is essential, involving both your parents’ resources and time
Send it to all your friends so that it reaches more people and they benefit from it, Jazak Allah]”
Soch Fact Check found the claim to be false. NADRA refuted the claim, via a tweet on their official account, stating there has been no change in the policy of obtaining a B-Form, no changes are expected and no particular deadline was set to acquire the form either.
The tweet elaborated that some people are trying to mislead the public and called on responsible citizens to refrain from spreading false information.
NADRA is the authority responsible for issuing CRC or B-form for those under the age of 18. The current process for obtaining a B-Form involves a parent providing an updated copy of their national identity card, while at least one parent should be physically present at the office to apply for their child’s certificate.
Virality:
The claim can be found here on X (formerly twitter) here and here.
It was shared here, here, here, here and here on Facebook.
Conclusion: NADRA has neither modified the procedure for obtaining a B-Form nor indicated any intention to implement such changes. The claim about a new law in 2024 specifying age-based restrictions on these certificates is false.
To appeal against our fact-check, please send an email to appeals@sochfactcheck.com