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Pakistan: Dates when the Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) were implemented by city or area; whether individuals can be tracked by their CNIC number; whether old National Identity Cards (NICs) are no longer used and whether they have to be updated

The following information was provided by a National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) assistant at the High Commission of Pakistan in Ottawa during a telephone interview with the Research Directorate on 26 October 2007. The NADRA Assistant stated that he was not aware of the exact dates when Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) were implemented in different regions, but he believed that it may have started in certain cities and then was implemented nation-wide. He explained that old National Identity Cards (NICs) are no longer valid and, when asked whether the old NICs were still accepted, he stated that it varied depending on the department.

On the question of whether individuals can be tracked by their CNIC, the NADRA Assistant explained that authorities can track the location of the bearer as his or her address is part of the data that is entered in the computerized system, but he did not specify which authorities had access to the computerized system.

Two Pakistani newspapers indicate that, as of 31 December 2003, old NICs are no longer valid (Daily Times 3 Dec. 2003; Dawn 24 Dec. 2003) and one of these sources adds that CNICs are required for services such as setting up electricity and telephone connections, opening bank accounts, obtaining passports and other services (ibid.). Another news article states that the deadline of December 2003 was extended to 31 January 2004 (Dawn 8 Feb. 2004). NADRA's website states that "existing manual records of National Identity Cards (NIC's) have been switched over to the computerized database" but does not indicate when this was done (Pakistan n.d.). However, an article from June 2007 states that eligible voters with NICs or CNICs can get enrolled on the computerized electoral rolls for the next general elections (Daily Times 30 June 2007). In July 2007, another article indicated that the deadline for banks and development finance institutions to obtain CNICs from their clients has been extended until 31 December 2007 (ibid. 3 July 2007).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Daily Times [Lahore]. 3 July 2007. "CNIC Deadline for Banks Extended." [Accessed 29 Oct. 2007]
_____. 30 June 2007. "Voters' Enrolment Time Extended." [Accessed 29 Oct. 2007]
_____. 3 December 2003. "PPP Wants CNIC Deadline Extended." [Accessed 26 Oct. 2007]

Dawn [Karachi]. 8 February 2004. "34m CNICs Issued so Far: Nadra." [Accessed 29 Oct. 2007]
_____. 24 December 2003. "Old NICs Not Valid After 31st: Faisal." [Accessed 26 Oct. 2007]

Pakistan. 26 October 2007. High Commission of Pakistan, Ottawa. Telephone interview with a NADRA assistant.
_____. N.d. National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). "Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC)." [Accessed 25 Oct. 2007]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), the embassy of Pakistan in Washington, DC and the Canadian high commission in Islamabad did not provide information within the time constraints of this Response.

Attempts to contact the NADRA Call Center were unsuccessful.

Internet sites, including: Business Recorder [Karachi], European Country of Origin Information Network (ecoi.net), Government of Pakistan, The Nation [Lahore], United Kingdom Home Office Country Information, World News Connection (WNC).