Daily Times

KARACHI: Long queues are observed daily outside the service and executive centers of National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) in the metropolis, which clearly shows that the authority has made it almost impossible for citizens to get National Identity Cards (NIC’s).

The applicants at NADRA office, Nisar Shaheed Park, have expressed concerns over the shortage of facilities and staffs while they also said that timings of the centre are inconvenient for people coming from far distances.

An applicant, Aleem Khan sharing his experience said, “There is hardly any queue management system, no proper line or token system while one executive deals with two queues (females and males) that create much nuisance”.

He added that a third queue is only for public spared for information which could be easily made available through general notices or website.

Similarly, Najam-ud-din, a businessman, told Daily Times that his visit to NADRA’s executive centre located at PECHS, Norrani Kabab House branch, to make NIC of his wife turned out to be a horrifying experience for him.

“After spending several hours there searching for assistance, I only confronted sheer disappointment. After I had received complete information about the required documents for the NIC of my wife from the information desk I started proceedings accordingly and paid Rs 1650 for smartcard,” said Najam.

And when she reached at counter no 2 the official asked my wife to call her sister to verify her data. “My sister-in-law came from Nazimabad and we resumed the procedure,” said Najam.

But, when we reached the last counter after an hour they asked us to submit the death certificate of the applicant’s father. “They categorically refused to accept the non-computerized death certificate,” said Najam ruefully.

Najam stated that there should be professional staff at the information desks of the said centers because incomplete information creates massive issues for the applicants and they get disappointment in the end.

“I had to cancel my fee slip after four hours just because of the terrible information provided to me from the NADRA staff. It was very bad experience,” said Najam. Other visitors at NADRA Executive Center told similar stories.

Najam was not the only citizen with such complaints. A large number of people suffer because of different reasons being given by officials at the NADRA centers. Most of the people think it’s just a delaying tactics being used by NADRA officials so people can contact agents to get their well deserved NIC’s processed.

Saleem Patni is another victim of incompetence of NADRA. During his constant visits just like daily routine to the NADRA offices to get his identity card his daily journey turned into a nightmare for him as he faced accident during his one trip to NADRA office and now he is in the hospital.

Patni while sharing his plight said that when he went to NADRA office situated in Baldia Town to get his NIC renewed, they refused to accept his application revealing that his age difference with his father is only of five years and they advised him to go to the court.

“I said it is the blunder made by NADRA and since it is not my fault how come my previous card was issued, which is beyond comprehension. But they didn’t listen to me and I was compelled to visit almost all NADRA centers in the city to get this issue resolved,” said Patni.

The NADRA officials are treating the people of Karachi as third rate citizens , who are they to tell us that we are not equal citizens us but the treatment being given to us , said Patni in a soured vice .

He said it was found later that according to NADRA’s data his mother was just two years older than him. After six months, NADRA’s woman staffer advised Patni to contact Federal Ombudsman and he went there but on his way back home he had an accident and broke his arm.

An Assistant Professor who belongs to Karachi and is currently residing in Jacobabad is also in turmoil due to NADRA’s error. “I’m unable to renew my NIC as age difference between me and my elder brother is just three months. This error of NADRA has also created big issues for my brother,” he added.

He said that he had to move to the court to get his data corrected and the case was in progress but due to this issue the NIC of his elder brother, who is a doctor in Karachi, have also been blocked and his bank accounts and other matters have came to an halt.

The authority’s lack of ability could be gauged by this, that the NIC verification drive that was initiated by NADRA recently, has been postponed on the basis of some technical glitches.