NADRA Plans to Expand Services, Potential Increase in CNIC Fees :The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) may need to raise identity card (CNIC) fees to fund the expansion of its offices, according to a recent report. While new offices have opened, many citizens still face long wait times to renew or update their CNICs, indicating that accessibility issues remain unaddressed.
Reasons for Potential Fee Increase
NADRA Chairman Lt. Gen. Muhammad Munir Afsar informed the National Assembly Standing Committee that 61 tehsils in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan still lack NADRA offices. He noted that expansion requires additional funds since NADRA is self-funded and hasn’t raised fees since former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani made the first CNICs free.
Table: Key Points on NADRA Expansion and Fees
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Fee Status | No fee increase since the first CNICs were made free |
| Proposed Solution | Potential fee increase to fund office expansion |
| Areas Lacking NADRA Offices | 61 tehsils in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan |
| Concerns Raised | High costs for citizens; fraudulent CNICs issued to Afghan nationals |
Security and Fraud Concerns
The committee also discussed security issues with CNICs, noting concerns about fraudulent identity cards held by Afghan nationals. NADRA reassured ongoing efforts to monitor and prevent unauthorized CNIC issuance.
This proposed fee adjustment is part of NADRA’s mission to improve accessibility across Pakistan while addressing financial sustainability and security concerns.