NADRA will block CNICs on court order only

ISLAMABAD: Two key federal departments continued to spar over the proposed blockage of national identity cards of terror suspects, proclaimed offenders and human traffickers in a blow to the government’s efforts to restrict the movement and activities of anti-state elements.

The National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) has refused to block Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) on the request of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), saying that NADRA Ordinance 2000 does not provide blocking cards of individuals on mere appeals.

The authority has asked FIA to provide court orders for processing such requests.

According to correspondence over the issue between the FIA and NADRA, also available with The Express Tribune, NADRA has recently informed the FIA that “blocking of CNICs required court order as there is no provision in NADRA Ordinance 2000 [to block CNICs on a written request].”

NADRA told the FIA to approach Ministry of Interior for the purpose.

According to a source at NADRA privy to the development, issue was referred to the interior ministry for its settlement. “The interior ministry has also endorsed decision of NADRA and linked CNICs blockage with court order,” the official informed.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2016.