|
ISLAMABAD: National
Database And Registration Authority (NADRA) is planning to
open a couple of new swift centres in the twin cities after
establishing 70-odd such centres throughout the country last
year.
A new NADRA swift centre opened its doors to National Identity
Card (NIC)- seekers at Suriya Chowk, G-8/1, last week in
deference to the requirements of people as the old NICs stand
valid only till January-31.
NADRA is now running nearly 200 swift registration offices
across the country to facilitate the people in getting new
identity cards issued on the basis of correct and authentic
information.
In addition, NADRA has also engaged mobile teams to complete
the processm of issuing new NICs to the people.
'The old NICs will cease to be valid after January 31 but this
deadline doesn't mean that NADRA will stop producing new cards
after that date', said Col. Shaukat Raza Butt, Director
General (North) of NADRA.
The government recently extended the deadline from December 31
to January 31 for the validity of old NICs.
'The notion that NADRA cards will not be made after January 31
is illogical since people will still need modifications like
change of address etc., besides requiring new cards, even
after January 31', Shaukat Raza said.
He said NADRA was churning out new NICs at three levels--at
its Swift Centres, through Mobile Units and its Tehsil
offices. 'We have our offices at every Tehsil besides running
Swift Centres'.
Col Shaukat said NADRA had so far issued approximately 35
million cards.'There are about 50-60 million people eligible
for cards under the last national census and according to an
estimate 30-40 percent people yet to have new NICs'.
To a question, he said there were almost no mistakes in
contents on the cards after increase in NADRA staff.
'Particulars are double-checked and there are almost no
mistakes now.'
'The cards have digitally printed photos on both sides which
will prevent making of fake photocopies. They also have 2D bar
codes, micro lines and images visible under ultra violet
lights and meet high security standards.'
|
![PakistanTimes [PakistanTimes.net]](times2_files/sidelogo.JPG)
