KARACHI, Oct 7: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), by authorizing only its headquarters to issue manual identity cards in the city, has multiplied the sufferings of the people seeking the ID cards.

A survey conducted by Dawn showed that people have to reach the only centre at NADRA headquarters, in KDA scheme No 1, as the district registration offices have been debarred from issuing the manual national identity cards after complaints were received about irregularities in those centres.

The people, including women, living anywhere in the mega city, have to reach the headquarters by changing several buses during which a whole day is spent by the time they reach back home.

Normally, the people do not know that the manual national identity cards are not being issued at the district registration offices and they arrive at their respective centres first, only to be told that these are being issued at the NADRA headquarters.

“It is irksome to hear that the NICs are not issued at the district registration offices. I travelled a long distance to reach at the district West office, in North Nazimabad, and then had to come here at the NADRA office,” said an applicant living in Baldia Town.

Another applicant from New Karachi said: “The location of the office is beyond the access of the poor. It is the location where minimum public transport is available and it is too difficult to reach here for those travelling by public transport.”

“Banning the district registration offices to issue ID cards on the basis of complaints about irregularities is the government’s failure to make the system transparent,” another applicant said.

People visiting the NADRA headquarters criticized the step taken by the authorities for debarring different registration centres from issuing manual ID cards.

They were of the opinion that the NADRA authorities should have put a check on the officials of the district registration offices and made the process of the national ID cards transparent, easier and simpler rather than creating nuisance for the citizens.

The number of those seeking manual ID cards has increased as students, who have reached 18 years of age and seek admission to medical colleges, are also faced with the troubles in getting their national identity cards. It is mandatory for the students, seeking admission to medical colleges, to submit their national ID cards if they have crossed 18 years of age, the sources said.

Several students, living in distant areas, have to reach the only centre to get the NICs. Although the medical colleges had asked the students to submit at least the receipt of the forms submitted to get the ID cards.

“We have to submit receipts at medical college for which we have to reach the NADRA headquarters. The location of the office is hard to find for those like us, who travel by public transport,” said a student.

“I have come here three times and I am told that I would get the manual ID card on the next date,” said a youth seeking ID card for getting admission to a medical college.

Girl students are facing even more problems in getting to the NADRA headquarters.

“It is very painful for girl students to reach the NADRA headquarters by travelling a long distance and by changing several bus routes,” said an annoyed girl student.