The national database and the registration authority (NADRA) interrupted the services related to identity cards in the general offices (GPOs) on a national level, citing low public use and the lack of awareness, reported Express News.
Initially launched three years ago as a government initiative, collaboration between Nadra and Pakistan Post aimed at facilitating citizens with easier access to services such as CNIC renewal, addressing updates and matrimonial state changes thanks to meters dedicated in post offices.
However, Nadra has now ordered the closure of all these meters, ordered staff to return equipment and deposit costs collected. CNIC Loans must be immediately given to candidates before the counters are fully dismantled.
A spokesperson for Nadra confirmed the decision, declaring: “Due to the extremely low number of candidates in the posts of the post office, the facilities have been closed. The equipment will be transferred to the Union councils during the coming fiscal year. ”
Despite the offer of key services such as skill updates, renewals and photo / signature changes, the initiative failed to gain public traction. Officials have awarded the participation rate limited to inadequate public conscience.
The counters, operational in major cities, including Karachi since February 2022, were part of a 10 -year agreement between Nadra and Pakistan Post. Only three years later, the program was now interrupted, affecting approximately 83 counters in the four provinces and the cashmere of the AZAD.
Just in Karachi, the counters set up in 10 large post offices – including II CHNDRIGAR Road and Saddar GPO – were closed. These counters had helped to mitigate the pressure on the Nadra centers by reducing the queues.
Sources have noted that if the service has helped reduce congestion in the Nadra offices, many citizens were not aware of the availability of these installations in post offices. “Most people did not know that such services existed,” said an official.
The authorities of Nadra and GPO would have planned public awareness campaigns through social media and other channels, but these efforts have never been materialized on a large scale.
The Nadra spokesman has confirmed that the equipment of the counters now closed will be reassigned to the local unions to improve the provision of decentralized services.
