Islamabad has made online registration via the CITY Islamabad app mandatory for all ride-hailing and bike-hailing drivers, with QR codes and passenger verification for safer urban transport.
New Online Registration Rule for App-Based Transport
Islamabad’s district administration has introduced a mandatory online registration system for all ride-hailing and bike-hailing services operating in the capital. The move is aimed at improving passenger safety, tightening oversight of app-based transport and curbing unregistered operations.
Launched on 10 February 2026, the new framework applies to drivers working with any ride-hailing or bike-hailing platform in Islamabad. Officials say that forcing all drivers onto a single verified registry will make it easier to track vehicles, investigate complaints and ensure that those providing services meet basic legal and security requirements.
How Registration Works Through the CITY Islamabad App
Under the new system, every driver must register through the CITY Islamabad mobile application. After downloading the app, drivers are required to enter their personal details, including name, contact information and address, and then upload clear images of their Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) and vehicle or motorcycle registration documents.
Once an application is submitted, the authorities review the information and, if everything is in order, approve the registration. Approved drivers receive a unique QR code generated by the system, which serves as formal proof that they are registered and authorised to operate within Islamabad’s jurisdiction.
Drivers have been instructed to complete this process immediately. Those who fail to register risk fines, suspension from app platforms or other penalties once enforcement checks begin in full.
QR Codes, Passenger Details and Vehicle Verification
After registration is approved, drivers must print and display their assigned QR code prominently on their vehicle. For cars, the code should be placed on the front windshield. For motorcycles, it must be displayed on the fuel tank or on the rider’s helmet so that it is easily visible.
The system also requires drivers to log passenger information through the app before starting each trip. This includes the passenger’s name, CNIC number and basic travel details such as pick-up and drop-off locations. Officials have warned that operating without submitting these details may lead to strict action against drivers, as it undermines the entire safety framework.
Passengers have been advised to verify vehicles before travelling. They can do this in two ways: by scanning the QR code displayed on the vehicle using a smartphone, or by checking the registration status through the official verification portal at icta.nitb.gov.pk/verify-vehicle. If a vehicle or driver does not appear in the system, passengers are encouraged to avoid the ride and report the issue to the authorities.
Goal: Safer, More Accountable Urban Transport in Islamabad
The district administration says the new registration regime is part of a broader effort to make urban transport in Islamabad safer and more accountable. Over the past few years, ride-hailing and bike-hailing apps have become a popular alternative to traditional taxis and public transport, but rapid growth has also raised concerns about unregistered drivers, fake identities and weak mechanisms for tracing incidents.
By linking every driver and vehicle to a verified digital record, and by capturing passenger details for each trip, the authorities hope to deter criminal activity, make investigations faster and give riders more confidence when using app-based services. The QR code system also makes on-the-spot checks simpler, as enforcement teams can quickly scan a vehicle and see whether it is registered and compliant.
For drivers, the new system brings responsibilities but also potential benefits, including clearer recognition as authorised service providers and a more level playing field against unregistered competitors. For passengers, the key message is to always verify vehicles before boarding and to report any non-compliant services, helping to build a safer, more disciplined transport culture in Pakistan’s capital.
