GUJRAT: Hundreds of people have been frustrated by delay in issuance of computerised national identity cards at the National Database and Registration Authority’s fast-track centre.

Officials working at the centre say they are unable to do anything for the issuance of the cards which come from Islamabad office. There is a problem in the printing of smart cards since the fast-track branch of Nadra only deals with the smart card applicants and uploads the dates on the system.

Nadra swift centres are bound to issue a CNIC within 10 days and charge Rs1,500 from each applicant. Applicants applying for ordinary cards have to wait for six to eight weeks.

According to an official working at the local Nadra centre, at least 100 to 120 applications are received daily for the issuance of smart cards and few cards have been issued against the applications submitted in April. The backlog is increasing day by day due to some problem in the printing of the cards in the head office, he says.

A number of card-seekers visit the office daily but return disappointed as the official at the reception counter fails to satisfy them. A group of applicants has lodged protest against the Nadra authorities for failing to deliver cards in time.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2015

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