In Punjab, a vehicle sale now needs biometric checks, and you can do them on your phone with NADRA’s Pak ID app. The seller verifies first and the buyer verifies next, then the buyer pays the fee. The Excise department says the transfer is then finished within 48 hours. Here is how to get ready, the steps as reported, and what the sources do not confirm.
What Has Changed
PakWheels (16 February 2026) says that before the app, sellers had to visit an authorised NADRA e-Sahulat agent for a fingerprint check and a printed slip. That cost Rs150 to Rs250. Dawn and ProPakistani (17 February 2026) report that the Punjab Excise and Taxation Department launched the PAK-ID app, with NADRA and the Punjab Information Technology Board, for online biometric and Face ID checks. The 48-hour time comes after verification and payment are complete.
ARY News (27 July 2026) says the NADRA Pak ID app now lets owners of Punjab-registered vehicles complete biometric verification for a sale or purchase from a smartphone.
Before You Start: Get These Ready
- A smartphone with a working camera and the Pak ID app from the official Google Play Store or App Store.
- Your own CNIC, mobile number and email address for sign-up, according to PakWheels.
- The buyer’s CNIC number. The seller needs it to start the application, according to ARY.
- A well-lit spot with a plain white wall for your face photo, according to ARY.
- Clean, dry fingers, so the scan reads well. This tip is general advice, not from the sources.
- The vehicle’s details. ARY says your registered vehicles are listed in the app.
- A way to pay the fee, such as e-Sahulat, Raast, EasyPaisa, JazzCash or a bank card, according to ARY.
Make sure the vehicle is registered in Punjab, in the seller’s name. Check for unpaid token tax and challans. See our guide on how to check a car’s excise record before buying used.
Seller Steps (ARY News, 27 July 2026)
- Open the Pak ID app. Go to Apply Digital Cards, then select Vehicle. Your registered vehicles will appear.
- Choose the vehicle and tap Transfer Now.
- Tap Verify Applicant Facial. Pick the front or rear camera and place your face in the circle. Hold still until the border turns green.
- If you want, crop, rotate or adjust the photo. Save and tap Next.
- Tap Verify Applicant Fingerprint and scan your fingers as the app instructs.
- On the Application Details screen, enter the buyer’s CNIC and set the Application Processing Category to “Executive” to see the fee.
- Review and submit. Open the Applications section and note the Tracking ID and PIN ID.
- Share both IDs with the buyer.
Buyer Steps
- Open the Pak ID app and complete biometric verification using the seller’s Tracking ID and PIN ID.
- Pay the fee through e-Sahulat, Raast, EasyPaisa, JazzCash or a debit or credit card.
The fee amount is not given in ARY’s article. The seller can see it after choosing the processing category.
Tips for a Smooth Scan
- ARY says to use a plain white background, good light and a steady distance from the camera.
- Dawn says Face ID helps older people whose fingerprints have faded.
- Do it at home with a good signal, and complete it in one go. This is general advice.
After You Submit
Dawn says that once verification and payment are done, the transfer is finalised within 48 hours. Check the new owner’s name on your Excise record afterwards, as in our used car guide. ABN AMRO’s Punjab guide (early 2026) says the whole transfer can take 1 to 4 weeks. The two timings differ.
If the Seller Is Abroad
Dawn says overseas owners can verify through the app and no longer need embassy visits, affidavits or a power of attorney. See our guide on how to transfer vehicle ownership when the seller is abroad.
Where the Sources Differ
- Who verifies: PakWheels (February) says the seller does the biometric step and describes no buyer step. ARY (July) says the buyer verifies too, using the seller’s IDs. Older PakWheels forum posts from 2022 and 2024 say both biometrics are needed.
- Fingerprint method: PakWheels says you scan your fingerprint with the phone camera. ARY says only to scan your fingers as instructed.
- Face ID: Mentioned by Dawn and ARY, not by PakWheels.
- Timing: 48 hours (Dawn and PakWheels) against 1 to 4 weeks (ABN AMRO).
What Users Reported Before the App
These are forum posts from 2022 to 2024 about the older process. They are personal experiences, not official.
- A transfer can stay at “pending inspection” if the buyer does not confirm their own biometric.
- One seller said the buyer delayed their biometrics for two months, even after paying.
- Some users still had to visit an office for inspection or paperwork.
I do not know if these problems still happen with the app.
Other Provinces and Islamabad
Express Tribune (2 November 2025) says Islamabad Excise launched a PakID facility for overseas Pakistanis. I did not find the steps for ordinary Islamabad owners, or for Sindh, KP or Balochistan. Ask your Excise office.
Beware of Scams
- Download the app only from the official stores.
- Do not share your OTP, PIN or fingerprint scans with an agent.
- Pay only inside the app or at an official e-Sahulat or bank channel. Do not pay a “fast-track” agent.
- Do not click links sent in messages, including ones in forum comments.
What I Could Not Confirm
- The fee amount in the app.
- What to do if a face or fingerprint scan keeps failing. None of the sources explain this.
- Whether sellers can still use an e-Sahulat agent instead of the app.
- The exact steps in the current version of the app. I could not open the app or the Excise website.
- ProPakistani’s 28 July step-by-step guide, which did not open.
This is general information, not an official notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do vehicle biometric verification at home?
Yes, in the Pak ID app, for Punjab-registered vehicles, according to ARY News.
Who verifies first?
The seller, who then shares a Tracking ID and PIN ID with the buyer, according to ARY.
Does the buyer need biometrics too?
ARY says yes. PakWheels describes only the seller’s step.
How is the fee paid?
By the buyer, through e-Sahulat, Raast, EasyPaisa, JazzCash or a card, according to ARY.
How long does the transfer take?
Within 48 hours after verification and payment, according to Dawn.
What if my fingerprints do not scan?
Face ID is meant to help, according to Dawn. The sources give no other fix.
Prepare your phone, your CNIC and a plain background, and follow the steps inside the app.
