Paci Considers Penalties For Delayed Civil Id Card Collection; Issuance Of Cards Submitted Prior To May 23 Will Be Halted

In an effort to enhance efficiency and streamline its operations, the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) is considering implementing penalties for individuals who fail to collect their civil ID cards within a designated three-month period. According to reliable sources from Al Rai Arabic media, this proposed measure could entail fines of up to 20 Dinar for individuals who exceed the stipulated three-month window for collecting their civil identity cards. Additionally, it has been suggested that civil ID cards left uncollected for a period of six months post-issuance may face destruction.

The rationale behind these potential penalties lies in the significant backlog of uncollected cards within the PACI system, which has reached an alarming number of over 220,000 cards. Notably, a substantial proportion—approximately 70 percent—of these uncollected cards pertain to expatriates who hold residency status under Articles 18 and 22. This accumulation of unclaimed cards not only poses logistical challenges but also consumes valuable storage space, thereby impeding the issuance of new civil ID cards, as reported by Al Rai.

In a bid to expedite and streamline the civil identity card issuance process, the Authority has undertaken a strategic approach. Specifically, the issuance of cards submitted prior to May 23 has been temporarily suspended. This strategic maneuver aims to optimize the card issuance process for submissions received subsequent to the aforementioned date. The outcome of this strategic adjustment is a considerably more efficient timeline for civil ID card issuance, which has been condensed to a span of just a few days.

As PACI contemplates the introduction of penalties for delayed card collection, these potential measures underscore the Authority's commitment to improving its operational efficacy, reducing the backlog of unclaimed cards, and ensuring a smoother experience for both residents and expatriates. By encouraging timely collection of civil ID cards, PACI aims to not only minimize logistical challenges but also promote a more streamlined and effective civil identification system