DUBAI: National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), failed to provide National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) to more than 10,000 Pakistani expats in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
More than 10,000 Pakistani expats are waiting for the document and are facing acute problems.
Main cause of delay in provision of the NICOP was told the renewal of the contract with courier company used to deliver the documents from Islamabad to the Pakistani missions in the UAE.
The Pakistani embassy in Abu Dhabi issued a public announcement that expats who applied for NICOPs (all categories) on December 22, 2020 and after are requested to postpone their visit to the embassy for collection of their NICOPs till further notice.
Pakistani expats living in UAE are mostly required to submit a copy of their national identity card for visa renewal in the emirates, but now thousands of expats are not able to extend their visa because of the delay in the delivery of the NICOPs.
It costs between Rs500 and Rs1,500 to get an identity card when in Pakistan, but overseas Pakistanis have to pay 150 Dirhams (Rs6,500) for the renewal of their NICOP.
Pakistan is trying to make a contract with a new courier company on the advice of an influential political personality.
Diplomats in Pakistan’s Consulate in Dubai are hoping that around 20% of the NICOPs will be received from Pakistan in the coming week, Geo News reported.
The Pakistani embassy in Abu Dhabi requested the expats waiting for their identity cards to check the embassy’s website/ social media accounts or call the embassy at 02-4447800 (ext 233) before planning a visit for collection of their NICOP.
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