In a significant movement of public service reform, the Sindh Cabinet has approved the abolition of all fees for death certificate throughout the province. The decision is part of a wider strategy to strengthen civilian registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system and easy administrative burdens on citizens. This explanation outlines the most important details of the new policy.
Core decision: What has changed?
Chairman of Sindh Minister Murad Ali Shah has the provincial cabinet waived the registration fee for death certificates at the municipal, trade union council and urban committee levels.
The Sindh government will now directly cover Nadra’s service fees. This comprehensive approach ensures that citizens can get an official death certificate for free.
Why remove the fees?
Official statements mention two primary motivations behind the policy:
Citizen Facilitation: The government aims to remove economic and procedural obstacles for families in a time of fraud. CM SINDH said the initiative is designed to “facilitate citizens and promote digital registration of vital events.”
Read: Death certification fee abolished
System Learning: Moving is a strategic step to improve the province’s CRVS system, ensuring more accurate and complete record for important life events that are fundamental to effective governance and public planning.
This policy is based on a consistent government effort to modernize civil registration. It follows the Cabinet’s decision in September 2024 to make birth registration free, creating a coherent framework at no cost to document key events.
The Sindh government is pursuing this improved CRVs framework in collaboration with international partners, including the United Nations.
Application process: How to get a certificate
While the certificate is now free, the application process is expected to follow established – and increasingly digital – channels. The general steps are described below:
Online application process (general steps)
While specific requirements may vary from the local advice, the process typically involves:
Collect documentation: Prepare the necessary documents that typically include the original medical certificate of death and the National Identity Card (NICs) for the legal heirs.
Access the portal: Naviger to the Online Service via your local union council’s official site or Nadra portal.
Complete the Digital Form: Complete the online application with the deceased and the applicant’s details.
Upload Scanned Documents: Attach clear, scanned copies of all required paperwork.
Review Biometric Verification: Give fingerprint confirmation, a standard step for approval.
Receive the certificate: In case of successful verification and treatment, the official digital death certificate is issued.
Other cabinet business
The abolition of the fee was one of several important decisions made in the recent cabinet session. Other notable measures included:
Streamlined inheritance process:
Cabinet approved significant changes to the SINDH Act on Administration and Succession Certificates and Rules, 2021. Key Change Includes:
Removing the classification of a minor heir as a “legal controversy” simplifies the application process.
To ensure that certificates for minors or mentally disabled come into force only after a formal guardianship has been established.
The press release states that key changes remove the clause that defines a minor presence as a legal dispute. Heirs or their authorized representatives can now archive applications for the required documents, while certificates for minor or mentally disabled heirs come into force only when a guardian certificate is issued under the Guardian and Wards Act, 1890. False declarations will be punishable under section 198 of the Pakistan Pennial Code.
Introduction of sanctions according to the Pakistan Penal Code of false declarations.
Main Minister Murad Ali Shah declared that these reforms would create a more “accessible, transparent and folk-friendly” system to protect the rights of all legal heirs.
Survey policy for Riverine Bandits:
A formal surrender policy for Dacoits in the River (Katcha) areas of the Sukkur and Larkana divisions were approved. The policy asked for successful security operations and social negotiations establishes a framework for disarmament and reintegration. Its main features include:
Mandatory disarmament.
Protection for families for surrendering dacoits.
Rehabilitation support, including access to education, health education and vocational education.
Review of development projects in the region to maintain peace.
Policy of wheat release to stabilize prices:
To check the flour prices and secure market stability, the cabinet approved the release of 1,265 million tonnes of wheat for mills at a fixed price of RS9,500 per year. 100 kg bag. The phase release is designed to provide public relief and use the proceeds to repay government bank loans.
Complete ban on bull-burning plants:
In a step to combating severe air pollution, the cabinet introduced a complete ban on cover pyrolysis plants throughout the province.
Businesses involved in this business have been ordered to cease operations within a month. The decision was based on conclusions that these plants release toxic pollutants, which significantly contributed to the poor air quality of the carache.
Earlier in April 2025, Nadra announced a new mobile application for registration of life events originally launched in Punjab. This emphasizes a broader, nationwide shift against digitization and streamlining of citizen registration services.
