Pakistan: proving identity mandatory for making purchases

[Islamabad] The Federal Board of Revenue has made it mandatory: ordinary citizens have to show Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) in case of making purchases of over Pakistan rupees 50000 (US$312). In the case of a female buyer, the CNIC of her husband or father will be considered valid for the purchases.

However, the condition will not apply if the value of purchases is below Rs50000. The main purpose of the CNIC condition is for documenting business-to-business transactions. This is the first time in the history of Pakistan that a consumer has to prove his identity while buying something.