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ISLAMABAD: The momentum of acquiring Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) has been affected with the announcement of one-month extension in expiry date of the old ID Cards.

The Federal Government last week extended the deadline for old ID cards; validity of the old Cards would now expire on January 31, 2004.

According to NADRA sources after the extension in the deadline, Swift Registration Centers are now presenting a deserted look as compared to big rush in December.

Some NADRA Swift Registration Centers were processing even more than 1500 applications a day during December, last but now once again the old trend is prevailing and people showing little interest reflected by some 300 to 700 applications were being deposited per day. Citizens are once again assuming that it might be extended once again, the sources said.

The Sources said that no further extension in validity of old ID cards after January 31 would be allowed and people should avail the opportunity in their interest otherwise they would have to face great problems in the absence of new CNICs.

While clarifying the position, the sources said, January 31 2004 is the last date for old ID cards and NADRA would not stop issuance of CNICs and would continue its function after the expiry date of manual ID cards. CNIC is just one project while NADRA is working on several other public-service projects also, the sources added.

NADRA has produced approximately 32.6 million CNICs out of 33.8 million applications it received so far. At present around 156 high-tech Swift Registration Centers (NSRCs), 121 DROs, 97 SDROs are entertaining applicants throughout the country while around 27 mobile registration vans are working across the country especially in far-flung and remote areas to facilitate the citizens.

At present, approximately 1.23 million cards are ready for delivery at central distribution points in Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Peshawar, Karachi, Hyderabad, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and NSRCs, DROs, SDROs in other cities. 

NADRA had been continuously informing citizens about the importance of getting CNICs as government had made the computerized ID card compulsory for passport and other legal documentary requirements as it would also be a prerequisite for all basic facilities like electricity, telephone connection and bank accounts after December 31, 2003.