The Embassy of Pakistan yesterday announced that the missions will continue to receive applications for National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (Nicop) even after the December 31 deadline.
"We will receive the applications even after the deadline set by National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra). Therefore people should not worry about it," Imran Haider, Second Secretary at the embassy, said.
Most applicants fear of being fined if they do not apply for the cards before the deadline, which is not true.
"It is a wrong impression. The deadline set by Nadra is merely to speed up the process and encourage people to get the cards early. There is no need to worry about the deadline. Legitimate applicants will get the cards as they cannot be deprived of their right. There will be no fine after the deadline," added Haider.
Following the announcement of the deadline, thousands of applicants have been thronging the embassy and the consulate. The crowd at the embassy was so huge that counters had to be set up in the lawn.
"We have eight counters, two for routine work, and six for processing Nicop applications. We have also sought the help of 25 volunteers. All the counters provide one-window service," Haider said.
An average eight transactions are handled in every minute, he added.
This has also affected the routine work at the diplomatic mission. Thus the consular services are being offered in the lawn. The embassy compound fence is being used as service counters. A counter attended by female volunteers also has been set up in the lawn to serve families and women.
Haider said the rush started in the first week of the month and expects it to increase by the end of the year.
"An average of 2,000 applications are received daily. The counters are open till the last applicant comes in. Around 1,300 people come for other routine consular and visa services. This month the embassy received more than 40,000 Nicop applications from Abu Dhabi alone. We received little over 30,000 in full year ending in November," said Haider.
Referring to applicants from Al Ain, Haider said an embassy team visits Al Ain every week to offer Nicop and other consular services. "We expect an increasing number of applications from Al Ain. We had to spend two days last week to offer the services. Our staff and volunteers worked on Thursday and Friday to attend to the growing number of applicants there."
He added the next Al Ain visit will be a challenging visit for the staff as applicants are growing. "This may require further volunteers from Al Ain."
Where to get the application formsAll Nicop application forms have been provided free of charge by the Government of Pakistan. The forms are available at the embassy, Pakistani bank branches, schools and airline offices free of charge.
The embassy is looking for more outlets and agencies to help distribute the forms.
There is no fine for applying after the deadline. The deadline set by National Database and Registration Authority is to speed up the process by encouraging people to apply early.
About 250 cards are sent to the applicant every day in addition to those being delivered by a courier company.
Gulf News
