ISLAMABAD, Nov 23: The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has asked all citizens to get the Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) before January 1, 2004 as all manual ID cards will expire after December 31, 2003.

Those, who have not applied for the Computerized National Identity Cards so far have been asked to apply before December first so that they could get their CNICs before January 1, 2004.

The Nadra officials has advised the citizens to get themselves registered latest by December 1, so that they could be provided with the CNICs before December 31.

The Nadra having the capacity of producing 100,000 cards a day takes around 20-30 days for a normal application, while 8-15 days for an urgent one. It has issued over 32 million CNICs in a short span of two years.

The old identity card (ID) was a one time card, while the new CNIC is valid for a fixed period. To keep the database updated, the card expires after a certain period and the person has to apply again with current particulars and photograph so that his facial changes can also be incorporated.

According to official sources, Nadra had received approximately 32.13 million applications for the CNIC till third week of October, out of which approximately 31.13 million CNICs had been produced while the rest were passing through different distribution channels.

The Nadra has been continuously informing the citizens that CNIC is mandatory for passport and other legal documentary requirements. It would also be a pre-requisite for acquiring all basic facilities like electricity, telephone connection and bank accounts after December 31.-APP