KARACHI, Jan 8: National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) has been issuing many computerized ID cards carrying mistakes and, on being approached by the complainants, the Nadra authorities refuse to accept the responsibility in most of the cases.

A variety of complaints have surfaced and a number of people who received the new NICs pointed out that the particulars they provided to Nadra were entirely different from what appeared in their cards. Some of them said that even their gender was changed but the Nadra officials said: “It is not our mistake.”

For instance, Masood Ahmed Khan applied for the cards along with his family. In the card carrying his photograph, all particulars were of his wife, Anjum Masood Khan. Likewise, in Mrs Masood’s card, the particulars and signature were correct but it carried her husband’s photograph.

Mr Khan approached the Nadra’s provincial headquarters in Karachi, pointing out the mistake obviously committed by the Nadra officials. In response, he received a letter from the same headquarters which disowned the blunder and remarked that there was ‘no official mistake’.

The letter further read: “The CNICs of your family members were dispatched to Headquarters NADRA Islamabad for correction but these have been received back with advice that you should approach nearest Nadra Swift Registration Centre (NSRC) or apply on NFA ver 0.2 for correction through DROs concerned after two weeks as there is no official mistake.”

In another instance, Nadra issued the CNICs to two sisters. Both the cards carried the same name — Faiza — though other particulars were correct. The card of Faiza Zafar carried correct data but her sister, Fakhra’s card carried the name of Faiza.

Quite a large number of people have been waiting for their cards for more than a year after submitting their forms. When they approach the concerned Nadra office after receiving no information on the status of their application, many of them are shocked to know that their forms had gone missing.

Masooma Raza, a housewife fed up with the Nadra’s performance, said she had submitted the forms of her family more than one year back. She confirmed that she was told by the Nadra officials that all the forms she had submitted had gone missing and that she should undergo the procedure and pay the fee again. On seeking an explanation, the Nadra officials argued: “Earlier, you had paid the fee for regular process and nowit is the Swift Centre and, therefore, you will have to pay the fee again.”

Ms Raza insisted that the fee paid earlier must be refunded to her or, at least, the Swift Centre should charge the difference (of amount) only.

People from different walks of life indicated that ID card was a national document which established one’s identity. The lamented that Nadra had been committing mistakes and blunders and lacked courage to own the responsibility which, they said, was an irresponsible behaviour.