Two new Nadra centres in town soon

Karachi: The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) will establish two new swift registration centres in different city areas, a Nadra spokesman said.

At least five swift registration centres recently set up by Nadra are providing fast service to the citizens.

These centres, also called executive swift registration centres, have been delivering Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) by charging Rs1,000 as urgent fee.

According to spokesman, five registration centres have been established in Clifton, Defence Housing Authority, North Nazimabad, Hyderi and Karsaz, but a plan has been prepared to setup two more centres in other areas within a couple of days. The target is to set up at least 10 centres during 2011 to ensure fast delivery of the CNICs.

Around 32 swift centres established in the city charge Rs200 as fee for issuing the CNICs within a period of two months and Rs300 for issuing the CNICs within a month.

A Nadra official informed this correspondent that Nadra did not charge a single penny to register and deliver CNICs to the citizens. The official further explained that it is the duty of Nadra to register citizens and provide them a card confirming their citizenship. However, when these cards expire, the citizens have to pay a fee for renewal of their cards. The process of preparation and renewal of such cards is very expensive, but comparatively, the citizens are required to pay a nominal fee to meet as much of the expenses as possible.

In order to meet the target of provision of the CNICs, some extra steps such as mobile service project, one-window service at Awami Markaz and others are being taken by Nadra, the official concluded.