July 29, 2003	Tuesday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 28, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, July 28: The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) will issue computerized National Identity Cards (NICs) to intending pilgrims within 10 days with normal fee, said director-general (projects) of Nadra, Khalid Javed said here on Monday.

In an statement, he said special counters had been established at Nadra’s swift centres to provide NICs to the pilgrims within shortest possible time.

He said about 0.14 million pilgrims were likely to perform Haj this year and according to an estimate 60,000 to 70,000 intending pilgrims already obtained computerised NICs and for the remaining lot, special counters have been set up at swift centres.

Elaborating the functioning of the Nadra’s swift centres, the official said the applicants have to bring their old NICs at these centres and other particulars were filled through computer by Nadra’s staff. He said applicant’s signature, thumb impression and photograph were also taken through computer.

He said for urgent cases these swift centres issued NICs to the applicant with urgent fee within 10 days and with normal fee, the NICs are provided within a month.

Responding to a question about authority’s mobile service, he said Nadra had 14 mobile vans and 12 more vehicles would shortly be included in the squad.

The official said mobile vans were sent to far-flung areas of the country to facilitate the people at their doorstep.

Giving details about the fee charged for a computerised NIC, he said at present Rs35 are charged for a normal case and Rs60 at for the urgent one at swift centres.

He said after Dec 31, 2003, an increase of Rs15 would be made in NIC fee as Rs50 and Rs75 would be charged for ordinary and urgent card respectively.