ISLAMABAD: Appalled by the disclosure about fraudulent issuance of computerised national identity cards (CNICs) and passports to aliens, the government has decided to frame a national registration policy meant to plug all loopholes in the system.

A directive to this effect was given by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi while presiding over a review meeting on National Database Registra­tion Authority (Nadra) here on Thursday.

The minister noted that the authenticity of identity cards and citizenship was of utmost importance and, therefore, a comprehensive policy should be made in this regard. He said granting Nadra access to union councils would be essentially required as union councils form the basis in the process.

He said the policy will make registration of people transparent and foolproof.

The new policy will also prevent citizenship registration of aliens. The plan to increase the number of Nadra centres in six major cities was also reviewed during the meeting. It was decided to include Multan besides Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Islamabad and Rawalpindi in the list where more Nadra centres will be opened.

Meanwhile, the interior minister also constituted a committee to address the issue of registering a married woman’s father or husband’s name on her passport, after concerns were raised on the issue.

The matter was brought to light during a Geo News broadcast featuring Khadija Bukhari, a lawyer who is a petitioner in a case being heard by the Lahore High Court.

The interior minister has asked a committee to come up with a workable solution to the problem.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2024