Sir: I would like to bring the attention of concerned authorities to a social welfare issue that is troubling the senior citizens of Pakistan. The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has exempted senior citizens from the renewal of computerised national identity cards (CNICs), which entails that every Pakistani, when reaching the age of 55, will need not to renew his/her CNIC and that the existing CNIC will remain valid until death. Senior citizens appreciated this step, as they do not have to bear the hassle of renewing their CNICs. If NADRA can exempt senior citizens from the CNIC renewal process, then the government of Pakistan should take necessary and swift steps to exempt senior citizens from renewing other licenses. It is a norm that license holders of any type are required to show their physical presence at the office to complete the renewal process. In this context, the authorities should also provide senior citizens with the provision of using the old CNICs, keeping them exempted from switching over to Smart National Identity Card (SNIC) whenever they reach the age of 55.
It becomes difficult for senior citizens to endure a rigourous renewal process for licenses and identity cards, as they cannot stand in line for hours and do not have the strength to pass through the documentation process that is marred with mismanagement and loopholes. Therefore, I request the government of Pakistan and the concerned authorities to look into this matter, and provide relief to senior citizens beyond the age of 55, by exempting them from renewing all types of licenses.
MUHAMMAD OMAR IFTIKHAR
Karachi