Orphans face identity crisis due to NADRA rules

A young man is facing problems in acquiring Computerised National Identity Card from National Data Registration Authority (NADRA) due to requirement of brining a parent at time of submitting the application.

Raees Ahmed has moved a petition in the Sindh High Court stating that his father was murdered nine years ago, later his mother also abandoned him, now, when he went to get his CNIC, the NADRA officials were denying him the most basic and important card.

CNIC is necessary for everything in Pakistan, like getting a SIM for phone, opening bank account, getting admission in college and university, travel, buying moveable and immoveable property and such.

Taking up the plea of Raees Ahmed, a two-member bench headed by Sindh Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh issued notice to NADRA to explain its position.

Petitioner's lawyer Usman Farooq Advocate stated that Raees' father was killed in 2013.

The mother also left him many years ago. NADRA is not issuing ID to Raees although he has presented father's death certificate and other legal documents.

The lawyer argued, "My client has been visiting the NADRA offices since 2017. He cannot continue education and unable to get a job because he doesn't have ID card."

The court is requested to order the issuance of identity cards. The court issued notice to NADRA officials and sought reply.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2022.