December 17, 2003	Wednesday	Shawwal 22, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 16: The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) chairperson, Justice Majida Rizvi, has criticized the National Database Registration Authority’s (Nadra) provision included in new computerized ID cards, whereby the card will become invalid after a certain period of time.

The old national ID card was a life-long document, and only after the request of an applicant, his/her particulars, like address, name or date of birth, were changed.

Talking to Dawn, NCSW chairperson questioned the inclusion of invalidation provision in the national ID cards, terming it an irrational and unjustifiable step.

The commission had conveyed its concerns to Nadra about the inclusion of cancellation date in the card and received a written response.

According to Nadra, she said, after a certain period of time, facial impression of a card holder changed, hence there was a need for issuing fresh cards.

“I don’t think it is a logical stance. Most of the countries, such as the UK, issue life-long driving licenses,” Justice Rizvi said.

Nadra, in its written response to the NCSW, also maintained that 80 per cent of the country’s population lived in rented accommodation and shifting occurred at a rate of 13 per cent, therefore people needed revised cards.

Whereas, according to the 1998 Population and Housing Census, quoted in economic survey of Pakistan 2002-03, there were 19.3 million housing units in the country, out of which 15.6 million (80.8 per cent) were owned, and 1.7 million (9.0 per cent) rented.

Even if population shifts at a faster rate, there is no need for this provision. And, if at all, one needed change in particulars, he/she could apply for that, the NCSW chairperson said.

Referring to the security concerns which Nadra had mentioned in its response to the NCSW’s objections, she underlined that in the NWFP, a number of Afghan refugees were getting Pakistani ID cards without any hurdle. “Yes, issuing of ID cards to a person other than authorized nationals is a security issue,” but genuine citizens must not be made to suffer because of it, she argued.

She was also of the view that the inclusion of cancellation date in the national ID cards would add to the poor masses’ problems, as they would have to pay renewal fee besides undergoing official formalities.

She also criticized Nadra for charging Rs300 fee from residents of the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas to get their national ID cards.