Database authority asked to explain Nicop fee hike

The ombudsman office received a complaint from Barrister Amjad Malik that Nadra had increased its charges for Nicop

ISLAMABAD: The federal ombudsman (Wafaqi Mohtasib) has summoned National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) officials on Friday to explain the circumstances that led them to increase the charges of Nicop by overseas Pakistanis living in the UK.

The ombudsman office had received an email from Barrister Amjad Malik, chairman of the Board of Directors, Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), complaining that Nadra had increased its charges for getting Nicop by overseas Pakistanis living in the UK from August 1, citing deprecation of the pound.



However, the complainant pointed out that the fees for getting a passport and visa remain the same. “They should have waited for all other government components to increase the fee at the same time,” the email reads, adding, “This will cause unnecessary heartburn among the community.”



He stated that he had taken note of this as chairman of the OPF and has been raising it at relevant quarters as well.

He also complained that Nadra had arbitrarily decided to cut down out-of-office surgeries on the assumption that people will avail online services. To which he pointed out that online services cannot substitute Nadra surgeries (mobile registration teams).

“If official surgeries are curtailed, private clinics will flourish where customers will pay for services and there will be issues of identity theft and/or fraud. Hence, keeping information in safe hands is conducive,” Malik said.

Moreover, Malik said expatriates were dismayed that Nadra seems to consider its operation only in terms of generating revenue.



“From a national perspective, our focus should be on providing best services to the Pakistanis living in Britain who can be used as an effective lobby for national causes. Nadra should not take such decisions without getting the full picture from the consulates.”

In principle, Nadra should not curtail staff because cutting down staff means issues of access to services to expatriates, Malik observed.

“Overseas Pakistanis travel to Pakistan during summer holidays and if the online option of ordinary card is not provided, it will be an additional hardship for a family with children. The ordinary card fee facility will provide an opportunity for families with children to visit Pakistan without any trouble.”

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