Punjab launches PAK-ID App for online biometric vehicle verification

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Feb, 2026) The Excise & Taxation Department Punjab has officially launched the PAK-ID App

for biometric verification of vehicles, a major digital initiative aimed at improving

public facilitation, transparency and governance through technology.

Developed in collaboration with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and

the Punjab Information Technology board (PITB), the application enables vehicle owners — both

within Pakistan and abroad — to verify ownership for vehicle registration

and transfer in Punjab through a fully online system.

With the launch of the PAK-ID App, overseas Pakistanis will no longer need to visit Pakistani

embassies, submit attested affidavits or execute power of attorney for ownership verification.

Vehicle owners can now complete biometric verification and Face ID authentication from

their homes using a mobile application. The Face ID feature is especially helpful for senior

citizens whose thumb impressions may have faded or changed over time.

The app was formally inaugurated at the Directorate Office of the Excise & Taxation Department by Director General Excise & Taxation Umar Sher Chatha, in the presence of senior representatives

from NADRA and PITB.

Addressing the ceremony, DG Excise Umar Sher Chatha said the department had been facing persistent challenges in biometric verification, which frequently caused delays in vehicle transfer processes. He noted that overseas Pakistani vehicle owners, in particular, had to undergo lengthy procedures involving affidavits, verification by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attestations from Pakistani embassies. The presence of ADR (Alternate Dispute Resolution) mechanisms also made the transfer process more complicated.

He emphasized that with the introduction of the PAK-ID App, manual, alternate and embassy-based verification procedures have been abolished, significantly reducing human intervention while improving transparency and efficiency. Calling it a major public-friendly reform, he said citizens living in remote areas as well as abroad will no longer need to visit Excise offices or rely on agents and intermediaries, as ownership transfer can now be completed remotely through biometric and Face ID verification.

The DG Excise further stated that the app aligns with the department’s broader vision of delivering citizen-centric services at the doorstep. He added that vehicle transfer fee collection is already integrated with the E-Pay system, which is cashless, paperless and visit-less. Once verification and payment are completed, the vehicle transfer process is finalized within 48 hours.

Speaking to the media, Umar Sher Chatha said that collaboration with NADRA for online verification of vehicle owners across all four provinces would eventually support integration of provincial vehicle data at the national level. He added that the Excise Department is working to link relevant departmental data with NADRA to further strengthen digital verification and governance frameworks.

NADRA’s Chief Project Officer, Rehman Qamar, described the PAK-ID App as a secure and modern digital platform built on advanced biometric technology. He said the app would help enhance transparency, strengthen public trust and improve service delivery.

Reaffirming the department’s commitment to digital reform, DG Excise said the Excise & Taxation Department Punjab would continue introducing technology-driven, citizen-friendly initiatives aimed at providing greater convenience, relief and efficiency in public services.