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ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali on Friday vowed he will not back down from his decision to re-verify the identity cards of all Pakistanis, and reiterated that he will ensure the mammoth task is completed in the next six months.
Responding to criticism that surfaced after he announced the move earlier this week, Nisar recalled how he went ahead with his SIM registration drive despite the obstacles.
"They said it was an impossible task and will cost a lot. But what is more important than the security of Pakistan?"
The minister said he had approved procedural and organisational changes in the National Database and Regulatory Authority (Nadra), which will ensure the process is completed efficiently. "To that end I have reduced the number of DGs in Nadra from 26 to 10."
Dawn editorial: CNIC re-verification
Nisar said the government will give two months to individuals with fake or illegal CNICs to come forward. "No action will be taken against those who voluntarily come forward," he said.
But after passage of this time, criminal action will be taken against those possessing fake identity cards.
The minister went on to say that Nadra officials who have issued fake NICs will also be given two months to voluntarily report their actions. "I guarantee no action will be taken against those who come forward on their own."
But after two months, those found guilty will be punished with at least seven years in prison. "I have already formulated a legal team, which will file criminal cases against officers guilty of illegally issuing NICs."
The minister had first made the announcement to re-verify all CNICs after the disclosure that Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour ostensibly held a fraudulently issued Pakistani identity card.
The minister said the fraudulent issuance of a CNIC to the terrorist leader sent the world the message that the Pakistani identity can be used by anyone, noting that this was against the country’s “strategic, security and national interests”.
“Let’s not send the message ... that the Pakistani ID is easily available to anyone who is willing to pay for it. Being a responsible state, we will ensure that the usage of CNIC by any alien is completely eliminated after this exercise,” he remarked.
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On DawnNews
Comments (87) Closed
May 27, 2016 05:11pm
Talking is easy but this is something on which non of the political parties would agree easily because, it involves many duplicate, triplicate or more ID's and Passports maintained and being misused by most of the ruling and opposition politicians. It has become more of a norm because,if in danger of being caught on any charge, they have several ready to use escape routes.
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May 27, 2016 05:15pm
First clean NADRA before you go for verification.
Hosting Afghan refugees is part of military's strategy to get new recruits for Afghan resistance. I don't think military will allow a pure verification.
Balochistan assembly had MPAs who were Afghanis. PTI gave ticket to an Afghani in Peshawer. This is the situation and you are talking about verification.
In my opinion is a fruitless effort. It will only legitimise illegal Afghan refugees. They are not in hundreds or thousands they are in MILLIONS.
It will make life of genuine Pakistanis difficult. What we need is an ongoing process of cleaning the system. DNA verified identity cards
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May 27, 2016 05:21pm
Unless the minister establishes proper parameters as to who is a citizen or not this is an impossible task and will result in spaghetti Nadra database! Generations have been born, how far will he go back? if parents illegal what about kids born in Pak? what about people who are just residents not citizens etc. etc. such questions need to be answered and policies established before the minister goes ahead with any plan!
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May 27, 2016 05:24pm
I fully support Ch Nisar in his drive for verification of CNIC and also request him to endevour to send the Afghan refugees back to their homeland especially from Karachi where we have our own number of problems due to over population
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May 27, 2016 05:29pm
He can't be serious.
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May 27, 2016 05:34pm
Chaudhry Nisar is a patriotic Pakistani. He did already several impossible task in a record time. I have full confidence on him that he can do this job too. The only thing which I did not agree in his press conference that he intends to from a parilmantary committee. I believe this is a pure administrative matter and he don't need such committee. This type of committee can only complicate and slow the process and nothing else. He should reconsider this decision. However, intelligence agencies can be taken on board in this process.
I wish him best of luck!
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May 27, 2016 05:53pm
Its need of time, actually some shat late but extremely imparative. Overseas Pakistani's know very well how Afgani's, Urdu Speaking Indian's, Irani's and let alone Russian ex-majority muslim States who are carrying Pakistani iddntities.
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May 27, 2016 05:59pm
No mater what cleanup is required and must be started!. We cannot trust Afghanis any more, period.
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May 27, 2016 06:02pm
I agree with the minister, let him do it , I will be the first voulnteer to go through this re verification process along with my family, Please kick out the ungrateful Afghans out of my beloved homeland.
All the Best.
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May 27, 2016 06:01pm
@Muhammad It is better option to send them back instead of verification
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May 27, 2016 06:04pm
I fully support Ch Nisar...
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May 27, 2016 06:05pm
@Salman Expulsion not verification is the solution
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May 27, 2016 06:08pm
1. Thank you United States for waking up our Minister.
2. Allowing 2 months, he has put our "security" at risk for 2 months.
3. While the process has not even started, he has appointed his legal team!
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May 27, 2016 06:08pm
@Khan Afghanis don't mix in Pakistani society. They create alot of troubles. Irani, Turki are no problem. If they mix with society and become positive member of it then no problem. But we all know how Afghanis treat Pakistan
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May 27, 2016 06:10pm
Great move. Go ahead with it an send Afghan refugees back.
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May 27, 2016 06:15pm
Utter rubbish! The state is powerless against the all powerful military establishment, who for reasons best known to them will keep on doing such things.
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May 27, 2016 06:21pm
Ch. Nisar is the only politician who can take such decision. He was the person who initiated the idea of SIM verification and that was successfully implemented despite furious opposition from strong lobbies. Registration of SIMs has contributed a lot to reduction in terrorists activity and now they are using Afghanistan origin SIMs. Lot of people involved in criminal acts like drug smuggling in different countries carry Pakistan ID card/passport but they are not Pakistanis. No fake ID card means no fake votes and more transparent and fair electoral process. Non resident Pakistani should not worry as authorities will verify only family tree.
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May 27, 2016 06:30pm
Nothing will happen. Just big words thrown around but practically nothing is going to happen.
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May 27, 2016 06:42pm
Its all talk and nothing will be done. I believe few cosmetic changes and thats all.
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May 27, 2016 06:50pm
He has to control corruption. Without that, no such action will bear any fruit.
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May 27, 2016 06:55pm
@Khan :: Could you please tell for the enlightenment of Indians when, if any, Muslims or not of Indian citizenship have carried Pakistan identity and what would be the purpose unless they are criminals trying to spread their criminal nets from India to Pakistan?
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May 27, 2016 06:55pm
What Nisar is doing is difficult but correct. The State of Pakistan is left with zero credibility if even a key identification document can be fraudulenty issued.
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May 27, 2016 07:00pm
What would you do after next terrorist or drone attack Mr Nisar?You are running out of options first millions of sims check now ID card checks. Maybe DNA check of 200 million Pakistani! What a smart way to divert people's attention away from real issues. Nisar and co Master of Bluff , deception.
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May 27, 2016 07:04pm
Most important is to immediately revoke passports of all those people whose CNICs is blocked to stop them from international traveling. Without revoking passports, only blocking CNICs will not solve the problem.
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May 27, 2016 07:05pm
Good act. Seriously, maybe it is a little over the top. Mullah Mansoor didn't "slip" through the system. He worked with it. The "verification" may be for the consumption of the Western press but nobody is noticing. Maybe it might be a good idea to drop the charade. People who the "agencies" want to have the ID card WILL have it.
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May 27, 2016 07:04pm
appreciable drive. but what remains concerned that is, ensure that Legal CNICs holder will not face any trouble. ?
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May 27, 2016 07:04pm
@Zaman Shah
>DNA verified identity cards
If you tried that then your DNA will be verified as an Indian, LOL :)
Jokes apart, how can a DNA tell your nationality???
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May 27, 2016 07:06pm
This is the right way to move forward. I really admire present PMLN Govt and the priorities it has set. They had setup a dedicated anti terrorism force as well.
They are doing something and moving at a slow pace but not like others who are just talking.
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May 27, 2016 07:08pm
Geo Nisar
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May 27, 2016 07:16pm
Unnecessary hassle to get CNIC in Pakistan and more room for corruption, I remember getting CNIC in pakistan facing so much hurdles and unnecessary issues from NADRA.
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May 27, 2016 07:17pm
This is the only way to destroy the illegals from Afghanistan,Iran, Bangladesh and India.
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May 27, 2016 07:37pm
All the re-verification of passports and ID's need to start from the top down, start with the officials, leaders of all parties and work your way down to the public. You will be amazed what you will find, but thats non of my business.
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May 27, 2016 07:40pm
Eliminate corruption first. People who get illegal passport will get it verified using same channel. Thousand of people will suffer. Also there is no clarity on NICOP for overseas Pakistani Nationals.
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May 27, 2016 07:41pm
Ch. Nisar should be supported and applauded for this wise move to cleanup the national ID mess created over the years. Lots of work and effort involved, but it will put the system on right path, do away with fake and bogus ID cards. This would be great step towards the security of the country, as it would stop foreign trouble makers and spies assuming pakistani identification and passports. Ch. Nisar is doing a patriotic service to Pakistan by trying to cleanup existing ID mess.
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May 27, 2016 07:45pm
Good move.
I would recommend we record CNICs at large gatherings so that there is more monitoring.
The more the monitoring, the more fraudulent cases shall be caught with a higher probability.
If you want to know of solutions which allow fast checking, then feel free to bug us for them.
Regards,
Khawar Nehal
http://atrc.net.pk
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May 27, 2016 07:50pm
Country which can't do census in 18 years, wants to do re-verification??
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May 27, 2016 07:53pm
Its like closing the stable door after the horse has been stolen. Best do something esle; something more meaningful and mature.
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May 27, 2016 08:05pm
I appreciate the requirement. It must be cleat that there are NO EXCEPTIONS, especially due political pressure.
Why are we so naïve to allow every one who cannot do such things in their own countries and exploit our sentiments on the basis of religion, we get so emotional and forget about our safety.
Go ahead and do it.
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May 27, 2016 08:04pm
It is better to spend that money, once for all, on the national census, 2 birds with one stone is not a bad deal...
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May 27, 2016 08:07pm
Nothing will happen.
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May 27, 2016 08:46pm
They trying to cover up their failures when terrorist are frequent flyers on Pakistani passports. We need to find out the capability of our intelligence agencies.
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May 27, 2016 08:56pm
Its a stubborn dictator like approach.
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May 27, 2016 08:59pm
It is simply talking and no serious business.In a country where police station are sold to the highest bidder we talk about wiping out terrorism and criminalism from our society.Corruption,nepotism and bad governance is our major hobbies.
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May 27, 2016 09:01pm
Mistakes and corruption is from government why must the people must suffer n stand in lines for re verification
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May 27, 2016 09:11pm
I like this guy!!
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May 27, 2016 09:28pm
At step in right direction, same action has to be taken against all Motor Vehicle department in Pakistan who issues driver licenses to non qualified drivers and take bribes.
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May 27, 2016 09:37pm
I hope it is not a temporary rhetoric to calm the criticism government is facing.
Let's face it that we have a complete corrupt system which can go to any extent. It will be difficult but not impossible. Best of Luck to Ch Miser.
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May 27, 2016 09:38pm
Just visit any NADRA/FIA office for a day or see the living standard of their employees and we will find what is wrong in the system.Without cleaning the system the employees will enormously benefit financial gains from the reverification process.
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May 27, 2016 09:41pm
if you can control corruption, everything else will fall in place
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May 27, 2016 09:44pm
It should be done long before !!!!!!!!!!!!
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May 27, 2016 09:45pm
Better late than never!!!
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May 27, 2016 09:46pm
The registration of Sim Cards is a milestone and the credit goes to interior ministry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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May 27, 2016 09:47pm
Another means of earning money by this corrupt to the core government
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May 27, 2016 09:51pm
He should have first traced the men and women who allowed this to happen then next step should have been random reverification. Same criminals in NADRA will help the fake and non Pakistani persons with this erratic decision. I think Mr Chaudhery needs to rethink or take a break before making any further decisions on national matters.
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May 27, 2016 09:58pm
How will you define fake? These CNICs were issued by Nadra.
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May 27, 2016 10:00pm
Mr Nisar, but what about investigations by FIA on your PM corruption?
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May 27, 2016 10:04pm
have you have authority to verify I.D of Quetta shura?
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May 27, 2016 10:06pm
Good idea.....makes complete sense but must be done properly and honestly.
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May 27, 2016 10:08pm
Please bookmark this article and check back in one year, how many officials are in jail. I can say with firm conviction the figure will be 'zero' or may be maximum 2 officials. After election new minister will be saying we have issue with this ID and let's do reverification.
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May 27, 2016 10:11pm
first conduct census
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May 27, 2016 10:20pm
It takes lot of time to get cnic in first place. Reverification. Wow. Best of luck
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May 27, 2016 10:25pm
I'm no way getting these words that the id card was found over there after drone attact..
I mean what the hell material was used in id card preparation. That after the attact full of blast with fire.. No one survived.. But the id card still remained there to show the identity that he was the mansoor and was using the fake identity..
Even a single kid can get these words that it isn't true, because the reason/arguments provided are so lame that one can't accept... Why our govt isn't getting it.
Rather it's very good step to re-verify the id cards.. because there are lot of people holding fake identity, i too saw many of them. They may harm the state like worm.. That's it.
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May 27, 2016 10:36pm
Yes, still there are black sheeps in Nadra.
Dear Nisar sir,
before having step to re-verify id cards. First and very much needy step is to remove those elements from Nadra Which are deteriorating the rules just for the sack of hundred or thousand rupees. Because Nadra is very responsible section of the state. whole flock is dependent on this sheep.. So this sheep is to be responsible.
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May 27, 2016 10:37pm
This is the Right Step in Right Direction and at a Right Time!
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May 27, 2016 10:59pm
Kindly place finger print verification on airports.if it has done we can track peoples who travel in or out of country.at this moment in time taking selfies on the airports are not enough.issue family card to families heads also for more trasparancies.we need to tight our administration atleast 1000 time.it the need of the hour
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May 27, 2016 11:51pm
That is an excellent move triggered by CH . Nisar. He had done it earlier in the past in the case of Sims Verification.
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May 28, 2016 12:01am
Get verification of your corrupt 18,000 NADRA officials instead of 180,000,000 innocent citizens.
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May 28, 2016 12:33am
A lot of times people following legitimate procedures in getting the CNIC have to pay hefty fines (up to Rs 10k) to NADRA due to the latter's technical error, which the applicants only know when they apply for a NADRA service. It should be ensured that such people are not wrongly persecuted without a fault of their own.
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May 28, 2016 01:22am
Who will re-verify the CNIC's the same corrupt set-up that issued it in the first place.............This exercise will make an opportunity to NADRA employees to mint millions.........and will harass very ordinary citizen's of Pakistan........
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May 28, 2016 03:14am
@Noshin nah, this was written 1 year ago
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May 28, 2016 03:20am
@Pakistani I guess the right term should be "real ID card issued fraudulently to non-citizens".
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May 28, 2016 03:52am
Even if this action makes any sense, it is impossible to perform such an herculean task. It is completely absurd exercise and raises serious doubts on sanity of the interior minister. A more plausible yet tumultuous task would be to seal the borders.
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May 28, 2016 06:14am
A pvt news channel unmasked the horror show of corruption at nadra. I am pleased to see the state take notice...some 8 MONTHS later.
This is an excellent strategy to skim some more taxpayer money, though it is the gov machinary that has failed to keep checks. The big question ch. Nisar is why should be cooperate with you still?
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May 28, 2016 06:15am
What a headless approach to verify CNIC. Why data of CNIC isn't shared with FIA to verify it secretly? The finger prints will remain the same as before even if it is a fake card. And if it is necessary to take finger prints again then NADRA teams must be formed that visit door-by-door to take finger prints using remote devices as do the mobile phone companies.
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May 28, 2016 07:19am
Excellent move. Only minister of any worth in PML-N.
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May 28, 2016 07:19am
@Zaman Shah don't be a pessimist. The system is good, some rotten staff are the cause of corruption. Re verification will root out these corrupt people. Pakistan army has nothing to do with CNIC. Don't drag them in everything.
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May 28, 2016 07:46am
Sir we laud your sincere efoorts but there a few other issues which are crying to be tackled.one.the repatriation of afghan refugees,two regularising entry from afghanistan to pakistan,three.dismantling the lucrative business of making fake ID cards,degrees certificates and even fake currency,in areas of FR peshawar and kohat.
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May 28, 2016 07:59am
Great man of courage, even during military era no one dare to block and verify sims he did, We all need to thankful to this govt and specially Nisar what he is doing for the betterment of the country. I have vision IA Pakistan will one day will be land of opportunities everyone will be dying to get Pakistan which will be harder than USA Keep your hope alive let give present govt time (No Dharna waste of time and resources )IA we all will eat the fruit of the sucess AMEEN
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May 28, 2016 08:30am
Call it a bounty or jackpot for the CNIC officials..They will become super rich, courtesy our Nisar Khan !
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May 28, 2016 08:40am
Chaudhry Nisar , for the first time you have made a good impression. Your tone and strategy is sound. The NADRA officials from grade 9 to grade 22 who ever is involved should be imprisoned as you mentioned. If 17 grade officer has signed then he is equally responsible. If he was rubber stamping then all his pays and benefits should be calculated and retrieved or be given a choice of jail.
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May 28, 2016 09:52am
what about million of people living outside Pakistan?how they will verify there data ,better option is by online
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May 28, 2016 10:08am
This is strange. Interior minister is unaware that how easy it is to obtain a Pakistani ID card. Few years ago I had conversation with a Gora residing in Islamabad. He said I can be a Pakistani citizen in no time. All I have to show is $$$ and I'll be Pakistani citizen within minutes with a ID card and passport.
A Gora knows how to become a Pakistani citizen and Mr. Minister unaware of What Nadara is doing?
Whole system is at the disaster stage and heading for a collapse.
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May 28, 2016 01:36pm
Awsome. Ch Nisar is a daring man who took v right decision.verification lead to filter terrorists in the guise of Pakistani having CNIC s
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May 28, 2016 01:41pm
@AG Babar yes bro afghani r ungrategul
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May 28, 2016 01:46pm
If this drive goes ahead it would be the third time government has tried to identify and count its citizens. First it was the National Identity Card. This program was replaced by the Computerized National Identity Card with a bureaucracy and cost to rival the construction of the pyramids of Egypt. In the province of Sindh this programs is being used to alienate and disenfranchise citizens. Chaudry Nisar should have stand in line at NADRA in 115F heat for hours and miss work for days. Citizens have already invested more than their share into the fiasco that is CNIC. Carry out the reverification if you must but citizen must be compensated for the fees but also time wasted in the process.
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May 28, 2016 02:21pm
Great step. We need to send Afghans to their country. If they want to travel, they should on legal documents. Please make Pakistan safe, we are standing with any government willing to do that.
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May 28, 2016 07:47pm
Mr minister you need to first sack the entire NADRA team and recruit honest people to do the rechecking of fake ID card issued. Is it possible? Corruption has spread like cancer in all government departments.
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