SC Issues Notice To Interior Ministry Over Increase Of NICOP Fee

Sumaira FH Published March 22, 2017 | 12:05 AM

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Mar, 2017 ) : The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Ministry of Interior over a suo moto notice case regarding increase of fee for issuance and cancellation of National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP).

The court directed the ministry to submit a report about expenditure occurred for issuance and cancellation of NICOP on next date of hearing. A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah heard the suo moto notice case.

Additional Attorney General Sohail Mahmoud informed the court that the NICOP card fee was increased in 2012. Rs 1600 was being charged for issuance of identity card for residents, and Rs 11,000 for NICOP and Rs 35,000 for the latter's cancellation.

Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan remarked that there was no logic in charging the expenditure of establishing new ID card centres from the public applying for ID cards. Later, the court issued notice to the Interior Ministry and adjourned the hearing of the case for a week.