IN THIS POST
– What is Special CNIC?
– Eligibility Criteria
– Required Documents
– Application Procedure
– Facilities for PWDs in Pakistan
– PCRDP Contact Details
The process of applying for Special CNIC for disabled people is rather simple, as long as you have all the required documents. Therefore, if you or someone you know wants to get a Special CNIC in Pakistan but doesn’t know how to proceed with their application, we have put together a step-by-step guide that will definitely help you out.
However, before we discuss the complete process to apply for a SCNIC in Pakistan, let’s take a quick look at what this card actually means and who can get it made.
What is Special CNIC?
In 2009, the Government of Pakistan introduced a Special Computerized National Identity Card in a bid to provide Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) with their due rights.
Issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), the Special CNIC for disabled persons also allows the registered PWDs to avail certain discounts and benefits announced by the federal and provincial governments.
The Special CNIC looks just like the regular one with a small logo at the corner.
Eligibility Criteria
In order to apply for a special CNIC in Pakistan, one needs to possess a Disability Certificate along with being a citizen and permanent resident of Pakistan.
A Disability Certificate can be defined as a registration certificate that includes the nature of disability of the applicant along with the findings of the Disability Assessment Board, which includes officials from the provincial Social Welfare Department, as well as the medical superintendent and doctors of the hospital where the PWD undergoes a medical checkup and assessment.
The National/Provincial Council for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons (NCRDP/PCRDP) or Social Welfare Departments are responsible for issuing the Disability Certificate to the citizens living with any physical or developmental disabilities. It is also pertinent to mention that these certificates are issued on both a temporary and permanent basis.
If you live in Punjab, you can take a look at our comprehensive guide on how to get a disability certificate in Punjab for more information on the topic.
As far as the term ‘disability’ is considered, the Disabled Persons (Employment & Rehabilitation) Act defines a disabled person as someone ‘who, on account of injury, disease or congenital deformity, is handicapped for undertaking any gainful profession or employment in order to earn his livelihood.’ This wide-ranging term is also used for a person who is blind, deaf, mute, physically handicapped or has an intellectual disability.
Documents Required for the Processing of Special CNIC
Here is a list of documents required to apply for Computerized National Identity card for the disabled residents of Pakistan
- Disability Certificate
- Original + photocopies of parents’ CNIC
- Original + photocopies of NADRA Form-B
- Presence of a parent or guardian/blood relative for biometric verification
The applicant must visit the NADRA centre in person while applying for Special CNIC for disabled people.
Application Procedure for Special CNIC
Here is a step-by-step procedure to make Special CNIC in Pakistan:
Step 1: Visit the PCRDP/NCRDP or the Social Welfare Office in your city
Step 2: Acquire an appointment for the disability assessment from the Social Welfare Office
Step 3: Visit the assigned government hospital or medical camp on the scheduled date for an interview and medical checkup
Step 4: Once verified by the Disability Assessment Board, collect your Disability Certificate from the hospital on the scheduled date
Step 5: Visit the nearest NADRA office in your city with the required documents, including the Disability Certificate, and apply for a Special CNIC.
Please note that there is no fee for normal delivery time. However, you will have to pay additional charges for urgent and fast-track delivery of your 99333425
For more details, you can contact the NADRA helpline at 051-111-786-100.
Moreover, you can take a look at the complete list of NADRA offices in Karachi and Lahore to find the one that’s closer to your home.
Facilities for Disabled Persons in Pakistan
Are you wondering about the facilities for disabled persons in Pakistan and why having a Special CNIC is important?
Well, owning a Special CNIC would allow a person to enjoy the following benefits:
- A 2 percent employment quota
- Special quota in Federal and Provincial Public Service Commission
- About 30 percent discount in utility stores
- Up to 75 percent concession in tuition fee of government institutions and up to 50 percent for private institutions
- About 50 percent discount on total air, railway and road fares
- Free medical treatment of the cardholder, spouse and children in all government hospitals and dispensaries
- Provision of wheelchairs, artificial limbs, and hearing devices, and other rehabilitative aids
- Duty-free import of wheelchairs and other items related to disability
- Provision of special parking space
- In case there is no source of income, provision of insurance cover to PWDs
- Provision of micro-credit finance for any trade
Contact Details for PCRDP
Here are the contact details for the provincial head offices of the PCRDP and Social Welfare Departments in Pakistan:
Punjab
Address: M-Block, near International Market, Model Town, Lahore
Phone Number: 042-99232178-9
Sindh
Address: Block 20, Federal B Area, adjacent Ibrahim Ali Bhai Girls School behind Samanabad Police Station, Karachi
Phone Number: 021-99333425
Balochistan
Address: Civil Secretariat Balochistan, Block 14, Quetta
Phone Number: 081-9201705
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Address: Directorate of Social Welfare, Old Jamrud Road, Wahidabad Rahat Abad, Peshawar
Phone Number: 091-9224253, 091-9211732
This brings an end to our guide to applying for Special CNIC for disabled people. If you have any comments and feedback on the topic, feel free to write to us on blog@zameen.com.
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