The National Database and Registration Authority, set up to modernise the issuance and tracking of national ID cards, must be the biggest failed project in the history of Pakistan. Its aim was to replace the flimsy and poorly maintained older cards with newer, digitised ones by December 2003. Yet more than half of the countrys population is still stuck with the old, obsolete ones.
Due to various reasons, I didnt apply for mine until about one month ago, but still havent managed to get it. For urgent processing one has to pay extra amount. It is clearly stated on their website that regular applicants will receive their cards by regular mail while urgent applications will allow the cards to be delivered by courier service, within two weeks.
After over a month without any news, I called their hotline number and was told that my card had been stuck in their data base in processing verification system where it is marked as Duplicate Case/Fake CNIC and after a struggle the card was delivered at the centre where I had applied. I wasnt impressed, but decided to go and collect it myself.
Upon reaching the centre, I was told that there was prayer break. I should come back in the afternoon to collect my card. This despite the fact that a large sign clearly said that the prayer break starts at 1:15 pm, when it was only 12:30 pm. Trying to point this out didnt help either so I went back after 3:00 pm.
The last straw was when they told me they had already snet the card to yet another location. Of course, they couldnt just send it to my home or office address or let me know the final location when I had first applied. I have now decided to stop the wild goose chase and try to find someone whom I can approach.
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