Notice to Nadra DG

The SHC has directed the director general of the National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) to appear before the court and explain the delay in issuance of national identity cards due to verification process by the intelligence agencies and special branch.

The court was hearing the petition of Erum Jabeen against non-issuance of identity cards. Jabeen said she had submitted ID cards copies of her parents as well as her matriculation certificate to the authorities but the identity card had not been issued to her.

The law officer from Nadra submitted that the details of the petitioner were sent to special branch for verification on June 2 and a reply was still awaited. He added that as soon the reply was received, the ID card would be issued as per rule and the policy.

The court asked that why the case of the petitioner was sent for verification when her parents had been issued with identification cards? The court directed the DG Nadra to appear before the court and explain that how many cases were pending before the special branch and other agencies and what was the criterion for sending such cases for verification to the special branch.