Unnatural Age Difference Between Siblings in Pakistan: Causes and Solutions

Understanding Unnatural Age Difference Between Siblings

An unnatural age difference refers to an impossible or highly improbable age gap between siblings, such as a few months or even days apart. This discrepancy often arises due to:

• Lack of proper birth registration in the past, especially in rural areas.

• Handwritten birth certificates from local town offices with unverified dates.

• Illiteracy and lack of awareness, leading to incorrect age documentation.

In Pakistan, research suggests that 1 in 10 families may face this issue due to historical gaps in NADRA’s early record-keeping systems.

Why Does Unnatural Age Difference Occur?

Several factors contribute to unnatural age differences in family records:

1. Weak Early Documentation Systems

   • In the past, NADRA lacked digital verification, leading to errors in birth records.

   • Many families relied on handwritten certificates, which were prone to mistakes.

2. Illiteracy and Lack of Awareness

   • Parents with limited education often did not maintain accurate birth records.

   • Age discrepancies went unnoticed until CNIC applications were processed.

3. Intentional Age Manipulation

   • Some families deliberately altered ages for benefits like early school admission or marriage.

How to Rectify Unnatural Age Difference in NADRA Records

NADRA allows corrections under specific conditions. Here’s how to resolve unnatural age differences:

Condition 1: Both Siblings Are Educated (Matric Pass or Above)

• If both siblings have Matriculation certificates with the correct date of birth (matching their CNIC), they can submit:

  • An affidavit declaring the unnatural age difference.

  • Copies of their Matric certificates as proof.

• NADRA will process the correction after verification.

Condition 2: One or Both Siblings Are Illiterate (No Matric Certificate)

• If a sibling has no formal education, they can modify their date of birth within 365 days of CNIC issuance.

• Required documents:

  • Handwritten application explaining the correction.

  • Verification from local authorities (if needed).

• Fees:

  • PKR 1,000 (modification fee) + PKR 750 (card fee) = Total PKR 1,750.

Why Correcting Age Discrepancies Matters

Incorrect age records can cause legal and administrative issues, such as:

• Problems in property inheritance.

• Complications in marriage registration.

• Difficulties in educational and job applications.

By fixing unnatural age differences, families can avoid future legal hurdles.

Additional Resources

• NADRA’s Official Website for CNIC Modifications

• How to Correct Errors in Birth Certificates (Dawn News)

• Legal Implications of Incorrect Age Documentation (The Express Tribune)

Final Thoughts

Unnatural age differences between siblings are a common issue in Pakistan due to past documentation gaps. Fortunately, NADRA provides solutions for corrections, ensuring accurate legal records. If your family faces this problem, follow the steps above to resolve it efficiently.

Have you experienced age discrepancies in your family records? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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