Interior Minister of Pakistan, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, has decided to take stern action against the exploitation of Pakistani CNICs. On Wednesday, 25th May 2016, he gave a 48-hour deadline to National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) asking them to prepare a roadmap to get each and every Pakistani re-verified which means 180 million Pakistanis will have to go through the process of re-verification provided the strategy goes out as planned.
This move was triggered after Mullah Akhtar Mansour, Afghan Taliban Commander, was reportedly killer in a US drone attack in Baluchistan where a Pakistani passport and CNIC was discovered at the site. This is the reason why Interior Minister has asked NADRA to launch a national plan for re-verification of CNICs of over 180 million Pakistanis.
In a meeting that was chaired by Chaudhry Nisar at NADRA headquarters which was also attended by NADRA chairman, DG Passport and Immigration and officials of FIA, Chaudhry Nisar stated that “this measure would help us to ensure that in future no alien will be able to use Pakistani CNIC and passport, besides removal of those aliens currently holding Pakistani CNIC. Being a responsible state we will ensure that usage of CNIC by any alien is completely eliminated after this exercise.”
Interior Minister also added that the overall procedure of re-verification of CNICs should be conducted in an amiable and kind manner so that the general public of Pakistan remains at ease. He also made sure that National Security Agencies will assist NADRA in future for ensuring blocking of CNICs and their verification.
Furthermore, he stated that “a wrong message has gone to the world that Pakistan’s CNIC can be used by anyone. This is against our strategic, security and national interest. Let’s not send a message to the world that Pakistani ID is easily available to anyone who is willing to pay for it.”
The Interior Minister also directed NADRA chief to speed up the process and take necessary steps against corrupt elements.
It would be important to see how things shape up in the future as it is going to be a lengthy and time-consuming process since re-verification of 180 million Pakistanis is not a piece of cake. Moreover, it will also be important to make sure that once the roadmap gets proper implementation, it should bypass through proper Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) under the supervision of relevant officials to ensure the purity of the system.
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