Business Desk 
Nov 12, 2024
The identity card fee is likely to increase as the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) on Tuesday revealed plans to expand its office network.
Although NADRA has already expanded its offices, still it takes endless queues for those who want to renew their Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs), as reported by Geo News.
In a National Assembly Standing Committee meeting convened on Monday, Nadra Chairman Lieutenant General Muhammad Munir Afsar noted the existence of nearly 61 tehsils in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and a lack of Nadra offices in Balochistan.
The meeting was held to address the ongoing issues encompassing Nadra to streamline its procedures and make it convenient for residents to fetch CNICs.
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The session entailed discussions on a number of challenges Nadra was facing to expand its office network as well as concerns regarding surge in CNIC fees, and most significantly the difficulties in maintaining security within the system.
Nadra Chairman outlined that the agency’s expansion for office network would need a CNIC fee increment owing to budgert-constraints, stating: “We cannot expand Nadra offices without adjusting fees.”
The fee structure has not recently been modified since former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani made the first CNICs free in a decree.
In response, the committee chairman raised concerns regarding the economic affordability of ID cards for an ample number of Pakistanis while encouraging the agency to explore other alternatives for funding.
Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary proposed waiving the fee for the first CNIC, as a convenient option for citizens to get their ID cards without dealing with any financial crises.
However, Nadra officials said that the agency is dependent on the revenue generated from CNIC renewals and new applications.
The committee further highlighted the most important security issues, with different members expressing their concerns regarding the alarming increase in the generation of fraudulent ID cards. Chaudhary highlighted that a significant number of Afghans hold fake CNICs, posing a great threat to security.
Nadra Chairman explained that the agency diligently monitors three to four hundred citizens daily to detect data leaks and unauthorised CNIC issuances to ensure security.
