All CNICs to be verified within six months: Nisar

Minister approves NADRA’s central database format for proclaimed offenders

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Wednesday directed the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to ensure that set timelines are strictly followed for launch of the CNIC re-verification drive across the country.

He was chairing a meeting attended by the interior secretary, National Coordinator NACTA, DG



Immigration and Passport, DG ANF, Chairman NADRA,  IG Islamabad, DG Civil Defence and chief commissioner Islamabad.

Nisar directed the NADRA chairman to speed up putting in place the required systems for launching the re-verification drive within the shortest possible time. "No slackness will be tolerated on part of any official at any level in relation to the launch of the CNIC re-verification drive and it has to be completed within a span of six months," he said.



The minister said a set timeline also be given by NADRA for sending short-message-service (SMS) to all the 105 million CNIC customers. This important national security objective can only be achieved, he said, once the CNIC re-verification drive comes to a successful end with elimination of aliens from NADRA's database.

The NADRA chairman briefed the minister over the media campaign prepared by the authority for awareness of the general public in relation to re-verification drive of CNICs.



The minister also approved the central database format prepared by NADRA meant for the proclaimed offenders. He was informed that FIA, ICT Police and ANF have so far provided record of 7,678 Proclaimed Offenders for inclusion in the central databank. It is worth mentioning that Islamabad Police since April till date has arrested 1,196 POs.

Nisar directed that all the law enforcement agencies should benefit from the central data registry of proclaimed offenders being maintained by NADRA. He also directed FIA, ANF and Islamabad

Police to speed up their operation for ensuring the arrest of proclaimed offenders who are involved in heinous crimes with zero tolerance approach.

He ordered the IG Islamabad for putting in place a transparent and merit based recruitment system to give equal opportunities to talented youth to become part of Islamabad Police force.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 9^th, 2016.