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Will the new card work offline?
Offline signature verification is technically possible, just as offline chip verification was technically possible. NADRA has not clearly documented which PakID functions work offline or how offline verifiers receive updated revocation information.
Could a blocked or cancelled CNIC still scan?
Its static data and signature could remain readable. A verifier must query live status or use a sufficiently current revocation list to know that the credential has been blocked or cancelled.
Should NADRA have used NFC instead?
A QR-first system is more deployable, but a hybrid QR-plus-secure-NFC model deserves consideration for high-assurance applications. NFC alone would not guarantee security or international recognition.
Must existing CNIC holders immediately replace their cards?
No. NADRA says previously issued identity cards remain valid until their respective expiry dates.
