Impression dispelled about massive issuance of fake NICs in Karachi

KARACHI: Federal Interior Minister, Chaudhri Nisar Ali Khan here on Friday strongly dispelled the impression that 500,000 fake National Identity Cards (NICs) had been issued in Karachi during past few years.

Talking to media, following the inaugural of NADRA Mega Center at Defence Housing Authority area, he said a total of 350,000 NICs, with varied degrees of discrepancies, were registered to have been issued across the country.

"One hundred and seventy two thousand of these were promptly canceled," he said mentioning that needed procedure is underway to ascertain exact status of the remaining cards.

The Interior Minister said stringent action has already been taken against more than 600 NADRA employees found guilty of negligence or facilitating in any manner the unscrupulous elements.

Chaudhri Nasir Ali Khan said that he on Friday opened two of the Mega Centers of NADRA in Karachi and third of the same category will be inaugurated by end of May in SITE area of the metropolis.

The state-of-the-art facilities for the citizens will be available, he said emphasizing that equal attention will be paid to ensure that public friendly and courteous attitude is necessarily adopted by NADRA staffers.

"Otherwise the entire exercise will be almost futile as buildings hold no meaning in themselves," he said.

Federal Interior Minister said NADRA Chairman had been directed to also establish complaint counter and desks of appreciation in these centers - enabling people to not only register their grievances but also service satisfaction.

Chaudhri Nisar Ali on a two-day visit to Karachi will have series of meetings with officials of different law enforcing agencies, Sindh government authorities as well as provincial leadership of PML(N).