'CNIC fees could go up with NADRA's office expansion plans'

The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has stated that they are unable to increase the number of offices as this would compel the organisation to raise the identity card fees. 

Typically, individuals face long wait times if they wish to update or renew their computerised national identity card (CNIC), and despite the opening of additional offices, the issue remains unresolved. 

Nadra Chairman Lieutenant General Muhammad Munir Afsar pointed out that "61 tehsils in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan do not have Nadra offices." 

His comments were made during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior, which was chaired by Raja Khurram Nawaz and focused on urgent matters concerning the authority on Monday. 

The session included discussions on Nadra's limitations in expanding its offices, worries about potential fee increases for CNICs, and the difficulties in maintaining security and efficiency within the system. 

The Nadra chief informed the committee that broadening the agency’s office presence would necessitate a rise in CNIC fees due to financial constraints. 

Afsar said that the organization operates with its own funds and has not recently increased fees or carried out extensive CNIC renewals. 

"We cannot extend Nadra offices without adjusting the fees," he said, adding that the fee structure has remained unchanged since former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani declared the first CNICs free via executive order. 

In reply, the committee chairman reacted critically, raising concerns about the affordability of ID cards for a significant number of Pakistanis and urging the agency to explore alternative funding sources. 

Several committee members expressed their dissatisfaction, highlighting that newly formed districts such as Murree and Talagang still do not have Nadra facilities. 

Amid accessibility concerns, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary proposed that the first CNIC should be issued free of charge, arguing that this would facilitate citizens in acquiring their essential identification without financial strain. 

However, Nadra representatives explained that they depend on revenue generated from CNIC renewals and new applications to fund their operations. 

The committee also addressed security matters, with several members voicing worries regarding fraudulent CNICs. Dr. Chaudhary pointed out that numerous Afghans have counterfeit identity cards. 

Lt. Gen. Afsar clarified that the agency monitors around three to four hundred people daily to identify any data breaches and unauthorized CNIC issuances.