The scheme of NICOP/POC was conceived and launched as a result of repeated resolutions of Overseas Pakistanis convention organized under auspicious of OPF, Ministry of Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis and with the consultation of Interior Division. Government of Pakistan has made this Card compulsory for all Pakistanis not annulled Nationality for creation of comprehensive database of Pakistanis working abroad or holding dual Nationality. They have to present this Card at the time of arrival/ departure at all international Airports/Boards. Moreover, revival of link with Pakistan by such people was all the more desirable. In view of the potential for prospective consideration and benefits to the country by their involvement, Government of Pakistan has decided to issue this card.

Under NADRA Ordinance, NADRA has been entrusted with the task of registering workers/emigrant of Pakistan origin and Pakistanis with dual nationality and issuance of NICOP/POCs to them.

Definitions

Pakistan Origin Card

A person shall be an eligible foreigner of Pakistan origin or eligible for Pakistan Origin Card if he is a foreigner; and he had been a citizen of Pakistan at any time during his life.

Among other cards, NADRA Ordinance envisages issuance of cards to foreigners of Pakistani origin who have got themselves registered under the NADRA Ordinance. This card is called the Pakistan Origin Card. On account of its utility, it is an identification document usable in place of NIC whenever required. However POC is more than just an identification document.

Name, Color and Design of POC

The POC should have the same design and with blue colour as the NIC in English, bear a barcode, which should be readable by a machine. It should be called the Pakistan Origin Card (POC) and carry a printed statement in English to the effect that applicant is entitled Visa free entry in to Pakistan specimen attached at Annex A.

National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis

Among other cards, NADRA Ordinance envisages issuance of cards to Pakistani workers/emigrants and citizens /resident abroad and Pakistanis holding dual nationality who have got themselves registered under the NADRA Ordinance. This card is known as the National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP). On account of its utility, it is an identification document usable in place of NIC whenever required. However NICOP is more than just an identification document.

Name, Color and Design of NICOP

The NICOP should have the same design and colour as the NIC in English, bear a barcode, which should be readable by a machine. It should be called the National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) and carry a printed statement in English to the effect that applicant is entitled Visa free entry in to Pakistan.

Aesthetics & Security Features

POC includes a sophisticated array of security features to safeguard against fraud and improper use. The POC contains machine-readable information, which is used to facilitate movement through immigration controls. The special characteristics of the POC will protect is integrity. Some characteristics can be seen with the naked eye and others will be verified using optical aids.

Aesthetics

The new POC Card design is based on the ISO 7810 size, which is 85.6 MMX 54m. The cards are produced from a substrate called Teslin, which is a flexible product and has been tested for several bending, cracking and fatigue tests giving it high durability characteristics. The card is blue in colour with the image of the National Flag on both sides also printed through fine lines by a security printer. The card carries all relevant information regarding individuals name, father/husbands name, gender, date of birth, new and old id card number, family registration number, permanent and present addresses, nationality, images of signature, and photograph, date of issue and expiry date as well as signature of an authorized signatory from issuing authority.

Security

The Pakistan Security Printing Cooperation in accordance with pre specified designs by the GOP preprints the Teslin Substrate. These designs carry a Guilloche pattern, defined as high security designs not available in general market. Additionally, the card carries a number of security features, which would be verifiable at various levels. These cards security features would be as follows:

Guilloches patterns are printed on the Teslin allowing the creation of fine and entwined lines with perfect registration. The final design is perfectly regular and very difficult to counterfeit. These Guilloche patterns are printed in the background as an intertwined design.

Micro Lines are printed in the form of a text printed in Characters that can only be read under a strong magnification and which to the Naked eye should look like one continuous line. Micro text would border and underline specified titles and symbols. The Micro text printed for the ID cards are the Words Government of Pakistan in Urdu around the thumb impression and the naked eye without the aid of any magnification device perceives this as a Micro line.

Fine Line Rulings are easily identifiable and do not require any sophisticated devices. These rulings can only be performed by a security printer and hence provide good first level security against counterfeiting. The Pakistan Flag on the card has been printed with this technique.

Holographic Laminate A transparent Holographic heat activated Polyester/polyethylene security transfer laminate with integrated high definition repeating holographic logo of the Government of Pakistan created through high security state of the art engraving technique, which provide 3600 dpi resolution, high luminosity multiple diffraction order which contain encrypted invisible to the naked eye. In addition to the above include micro lettering /lines read as Government of Pakistan in Urdu, animated image and multiplexing. The card laminate gives a different image of just micro letters and lines when viewed at 90 degrees. The laminate is a multi-layer film containing specially designed and unique identification GOP logos as holographic images that under normal ambient lighting conditions will undergo color shifts and intensity as the viewing angle is changed. The holographic security laminates used is bound securely to the substrate so that any attempt to remove the laminate under a variety of conditions, or to alter the information contained on the card shall result in the physical destruction of the optical system which should be visibly apparent. Multiple images should be placed across the face for increased security. The laminates are highly resistant to photo substitution and alteration of any data. The laminates and the card security feature are non-photocopy able. The laminate shall also have a machine-readable feature, which can be verified with a special laser light source.

The backside laminate will have the same features as the front side laminate regarding the adhesion properties to the Teslin substrate and would destruct on attempt of removal. This side will not contain hologram.

UV Image the backside of the card carries an image of Quaid-e-Azam visible only under Ultra Violet light and front side of the card would have repeated logos of GOP also verifiable only under a UV Light.

Card Photograph of individual would be present on both sides of the card and printed digitally.

Optically Variable Ink has been used in the laminates and the substrate to create a non-photo copy able image.
Computer generated anti copy anti scan features are present in the card which are not reproduce-able through the use of high quality scanners or copiers.

Download Forms: NICOP - POC (Please print these forms on standard A4 sized paper)

For more information please visit: http://pakistanidcard.nadra.gov.pk