NADRA Makes a Substantial Reduction in Smart ID Card Fees
Posted by HAAMIZ AHMED
The fee for the Smart National Identity Card (SNIC) has been decreased by NADRA. Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar, has ordered the authority to reduce the fee for the smart ID cards substantially, we have learned.
Smart National Identity Card
The smart ID card contains a QR code for easier and faster identification as well as a data chip with 36 security features which makes it one of the most secure cards in the world.
Each layer of the card comes with its own security features and it also has secure communication protocols for remote identification.
A large amount of space on the card has been made available for the private sector to utilise for their products and services.
Although, its expensive for the private sector to use this card, once the number of smart card users in the country reaches critical mass, it will be much more profitable for them to use this universal and secure platform.
New Fee Structure
NADRA has decreased the fee for smart ID card from Rs. 1500 to Rs. 400 for issuance of a smart ID card in the regular time frame.
They also said that urgent issuance of the smart card will cost Rs. 800, while Rs. 1600 will be charged for executive smart ID card.
Importance of the Fee Reduction
This decision by NADRA will help to shift majority of the citizens to Smart ID Cards, which, as mentioned above, allow for faster identification of individuals and improve security and utility of the cards. The old cards will no longer be issued after some time.
It is about time NADRA automated their entire operations in order to remove human intervention which brings about corruption and fake entries.
Use of Smart ID cards is a step in the right direction, since these cards use technology and prevent tampering.
About 60 million people earn less than Rs. 2500 per month in Pakistan. Affording a smart ID card or taking advantage of such a service is impossible for such a large population of the country.
They can’t afford to register themselves for the smart ID card. With the reduction in fees, more citizens will opt for a smart ID card. The government will also see a higher adoption rate and see an increase in the Smart ID card demand.
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