ISLAMABAD: The drive for the re-verification of computerised national identity cards (CNICs) meant to screen out aliens fraudulently using Pakistan’s identity cards will be launched on July 1.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who presided over a meeting on the re-verification plan on Thursday, was informed that homework had been completed and everything was on track.

The minister was informed that Nadra had established a helpline capable of handling 10,000 calls per day and an SMS gateway of 150,000 SMS per day to facilitate people who would report suspected CNICs.

The meeting was informed that training for human resources had been complete to ensure successful completion of the national drive.

Chaudhry Nisar has set Nadra a six-month deadline for re-verification of the cards, declaring “it an important milestone pertaining to national security that means the exercise is to be completed by the year-end”.

The minister said the multipronged strategy comprised data analysis schemes for verification, including across-the-board fraud detection and mathematical modelling, utilisation of the PTA’s data for identification of aliens, amnesty scheme, establishment of helpline and family tree intrusion detection through SMS.

He said that input by Joint Verification Committees would continue to identify aliens who had illegally acquired the CNICs.

He asked Nadra to ensure utilisation of all its resources to achieve the desired objective of removing aliens from Nadra’s data base within the given timeline.

July 1 will also mark the beginning of the amnesty scheme for individuals to surrender the fraudulently issued CNICs. The amnesty will also be available to the Nadra employees who voluntarily reported their illegal actions before the expiry of the deadline.

Individuals found to be possessing fraudulently issued CNICs and those having a role in issuance of the same will face criminal cases after the deadline. The law prescribed a lifetime imprisonment for those found guilty.

Reports suggest that several high-profile militant leaders from across the border possess fake CNICs and passports.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2016