ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) on Monday summoned Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Interior Secretary in a suo moto case regarding over-charging identity cards’ fee from Overseas Nationals.
A three-member bench consisting of Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah under the supervision of Chief Justice Saqib Nisar conducted proceedings of the suo moto notice regarding the charge of an extra fee by the government, for the National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistani’s (NICOP).
Nisar questioned the channelized summary detailing the changes in fees of identity cards, inquiring that on what basis the government had sent this summary.
He summoned Interior Minister and the secretary for an explanation. However, it was informed to the court that the summoned officials were not present, as they had gone for a two-day official visit to Gwadar. He directed that a commission should be formed to probe into the changes in the fee structure of identity cards.
The court has adjourned the case proceedings till March 26.
Previously, former Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali on March 1, 2017 had taken a suo moto notice, upon complaints regarding high prices charged for issuance of NICOP and cancellation of Pakistan Origin Card (POC) by National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
