"The decision has been taken to facilitate community members to help them get their 'National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis' (NICOP) without any trouble," Consul General Amanullah Larik said, adding that the consulate has already received around 5,000 cards from Pakistan, which have to be delivered to people.
"We have so far received 12,000 applications for NICOP cards from Pakistanis in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Some 2,000 cards have already been delivered to people who collected them from the consulate while 5,000 more will be delivered through TCS," he said. The NICOP card, which was introduced in September 2002, is mandatory for every Pakistan staying outside Pakistan for six months or more. Although no deadline for applying for the cards has been set, around 400,000 Pakistanis living in the UAE have to get this card.
"Since distribution of cards will be a huge project, we have hired the services of TCS to deliver these cards door to door free of cost," he said.
Shariq Mahmood, general manager of TCS ,said they will prepare a data bank of applicants and they will be able to know whether their cards are ready or not by calling the toll free number 800-4453 with effect from September 13. He said they will also extend this facility to other parts of the UAE and to other Gulf countries if asked to do so by Pakistani authorities.
"The new facility is one of the many steps being taken by the consulate to improve the existing level of consular services to the Pakistani community," said Nadeem Khan, Head of Chancery at the Consulate. He said it will not only improve the level of services but would also eliminate the need for the applicant to come to the consulate to collect the card. Khan asked the people who have not applied for the cards so far to do so immediately to avoid the last minute rush.
"We have also provided forms to Pakistani airlines offices, schools, social centres and Pakistani banks in addition to the counters at the consulate," he said.
Gulf News
