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37.5m to get computerised

ID cards at their door steps

ISLAMABAD: About 37.5 million people who applied for computerised ID cards during the last Census will get their cards through mail at their door-steps on paying Rs 15 only.

This was stated by Director-General National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Maj. General Zahid Ahsan in a PTV programme on Monday.

He said the new applications will be received on a simple forms through draw boxes and ID cards will be issued only from Islamabad.

He said 70 percent of the population will be provided computerised card before December 2000 while remaining 30 percent by June next year.

Pakistan is holding dual nationality will also be provided with a special ID card to avoid hardship on returning to their own country. Foreigners present in Pakistan as refugees or workers will also be registered and issued special cards, he said.

He said at the issuance of new ID cards a photograph of each individual will be stored in computer software which will foil the practice of getting bogus ID cards.

He said the death and birth cases will be duly registered in National Data Base and certificates will be issued at the birth of each child. These certificates will be helpful for future documentation, he added.

To a question he said the present ID cards will be valid till December 2001.

An intra-Pakistan computer network will soon be set up which will provide all required information to and about various institutions, he said adding it will help in evolving a prompt monitoring system.

He said issuance of computerised passport will start from October this year and the process will be simple like ID cards.

The network will also include geographic information system which will provide all the required information. This will help the local, provincial and central governments in development planning, he said.

To a question from the audience, he said that the network will include AJK and Fata also.

He said the system will also help to check the entry and stay of illegal immigrant's in the country.ÑAPP