ISLAMABAD:
The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) on Thursday warned citizens of additional fees and penalties for those who delay obtaining or renewing their identity documents.
In a press release, the authority said identity documents were issued for a fixed period and it was the responsibility of every adult citizen to ensure timely renewal of their identity documents, including CNICs, before they expire.
“Failing this, essential services linked to these documents, including bank accounts, mobile phone SIM cards and other verification-based services, could be affected or suspended,” it said.
“In addition, citizens whose ID cards have expired may not be able to benefit from various government and social programs, such as the Benazir Income Support Program, government subsidy programs, including the recently announced fuel subsidy program, as well as transactions such as property and vehicle transfers,” he added.
“This causes unnecessary hardship to citizens due to their own oversight. Although Nadra is legally empowered to impose additional fees or penalties in case of delayed renewal, such measures have not yet been implemented for the sake of public convenience,” the authority said.
According to data available at present, 27.475 million national ID cards, 2.309 million overseas cards, 11.65 million child registration certificates and 0.229 million minors’ cards were expired.
“In this regard, reminder messages have already been sent by SMS to citizens by Nadra, in particular to parents whose children have reached the age of 18 but have not yet obtained their first national identity card,” the press release said.
The authority recalled that as per the public notice issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on April 8, it was mandatory for mobile phone users to have a valid and active CNIC to ensure continuity of services.
“SIM cards registered on expired ID cards or in the names of deceased persons can be blocked at any time. Currently, more than 8.1 million SIM cards are active on approximately 4.5 million ID cards that require renewal. Of these, more than 223,000 ID cards have expired for more than ten years without renewal,” the statement said.
Nadra advised citizens to ensure timely renewal of their identity cards to maintain uninterrupted mobile services. He also said that SIM cards registered in the name of deceased relatives should be transferred to the CNIC of the current user.
“All citizens have been urged to fulfill their legal responsibility by promptly renewing expired identity documents and ensuring the issuance of identity cards to those who have reached the age of 18,” the statement said.
“If no improvement is observed in document renewal trends, additional fees and penalties may be imposed in the next fiscal year after June on citizens who delay obtaining or renewing their identity documents,” the document said.
