DUBAI, April 25: More than 4,500 applications for National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (Nicop) have been received here and almost

50 per cent of the processed cards have already been distributed by the Pakistan Consulate in Dubai.

Speaking to a local newspaper, Consul-General of Pakistan, Amanullah Larik said after the 40 per cent cut in processing fees of Nicop cards, we have received a record number of applications by volunteers and every week we see a good response.

“More than 1,000 cards have been processed and more than 500 have already been distributed,” he added.

During his visit to the UAE in January this year, Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali had announced a 40 per cent cut in the processing fee of the card which has brought it from $25 down to $15. He also extended the card validity from three to 10 years.

The Nicop scheme was launched in the UAE last year.

“All the accumulated application forms from the UAE are sent to the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) in Pakistan which

is at present involved in the task of replacing old National Identity Cards (NIC) with new computerised ones,” said Mr Larik.

The Nicop cards are in English and are valid until the card holder resides outside Pakistan. “Upon his/her return, the card will automatically become invalid,” added Mr Larik.

The Nicop card is mandatory for all Pakistanis living abroad for more than six months.

The aim is to create a database of non- resident Pakistanis and check the infiltration of people with fake Pakistani ID cards and passports.—Dawn/KT News Service