KARACHI, Sept 2: The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has issued 829,531 national identity cards (NICs) to Pakistani nationals living in various foreign countries, said Nadra sources.

Nadra had established Swift Registration Centres (NSRCs) in the UK last month to facilitate overseas Pakistanis in obtaining their Overseas Pakistanis National Identity Cards for (NICOPs) and Pakistan Origin Cards (POCs).

The authority also plans to open such centres in other countries and cities abroad where a large number of Pakistanis are living. Since the opening of NSRCs in the UK, Nadra had received a total of 1,465 applications.

Nadra said the submission of applications was gaining momentum, as people, with the passage of time, were becoming more aware of the facilities being offered to them.

The Nadra has also provided overseas Pakistanis with the option of submitting applications for their NICOPs and POCs at any of the NSRCs in Pakistan while being here on vacations or visits. They have also been given the option of delivery of their NICOPs or POCs at any address in Pakistan or abroad.

Till date, the Nadra has received a total of 888,368 applications for NICOPs, out of which 829,531 cards had already been issued. Similarly, the Nadra has issued 34,904 POCs out of the total of 35,604 applications received so far. - APP