ISLAMABAD, March 21: The National Database and Registration Authority is planning to establish swift centres at Pakistani foreign missions to facilitate overseas Pakistanis in getting registered with the authority.

According to a press release issued here on Sunday, a proposal in this regard is under consideration and the project will be undertaken after the approval of the foreign ministry.

The English version of computerized national identity cards for expatriates, called National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP), is being issued in the country, and all legal documents including passports are being issued on the basis of the CNICs only.

Initially, the swift centres are being planned in Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom and UAE, where Pakistani expatriates are living in large numbers. The press release said a Nadra delegation would visit these countries shortly to chalk out the modalities with the officials of the Pakistani missions for the establishment of Nadra Swift Registration Centres (NSRCs).

The proposed centres are based on the NSRC projects currently operating throughout the country and providing high-tech facilities to the citizens, revolutionizing the concept of registration. Meanwhile, Nadra has so far issued 663,259 NICOP and 27,632 Pakistan Origin Cards to Pakistani nationals living abroad.