Citizens flock to Nadra offices after Rangers’ CNIC orders

Karachi
The instructions of Sindh Rangers to the residents of Karachi, asking them to carry their original computerised national identity cards (CNICs) at all times is a cause for concern for many who don’t have their identity cards or have been unable to obtain them.
A number of concerned residents were seen outside the office of National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) in North Nazimabad, trying to get hold of their CNICs.
One of the men standing in a long queue, Zahid, complained that he had been trying to get his CNIC for the past three months. “However, every time there is one or the other reason I can’t get it,” he said.
Another worried resident, Aneesa Khatoon, said her card had been lost. She said she had visiting the Nadra office daily and had also filled out the requisite forms. “They [Nadra officials] have asked me to bring the CNICs of my son or husband and the matter will proceed from there,” she said.
A former expat, Shahida said she had just returned from Canada and had been trying to get a CNIC made for the past two months. “But I get rejected for reason or the other,” she said. “There are agents here who claim to get the CNIC made without any problems if we pay them.”
Other people standing in queues said Nadra officials gave them three months’ time for being able to give them their CNICs but they often failed to meet the deadline.
On the other hand, the Nadra spokesman while talking to The News over the telephone from Islamabad, admitted the problem and said he was aware that thousands of people did not have CNICs. However, he said, this was a matter to be dealt by the interior ministry. “Nadra is just a facilitator by issuing CNICs, security is the concern of the interior ministry,” he said.