National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Chairman Usman Mobin Sunday said that identity cards cards of Afghan citizens had not been blocked because of their nationality or any prejudice.
The statement came a day after loads of Pashtuns held a protest outside Prime Minister Imran Khan Zaman Park’s residence in Lahore, saying that the previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government had cancelled thier ID cards. They demanded the prime minister to intervene in the matter. Subsequenlty
PM Khan had directed the NADRA chairman to meet the protesters and resolve their issues.
Mobin claimed that there were three main reasons behind the blocking of ID cards. He said that Afghan nationals were falsely declared family members of those settled in Pakistan in exchange for money, so that they could be issued ID cards. “Secondly, some refugee families after voluntary repatriation to Afghanistan return to Pakistan ang get thier ID cards made again.” Thirdly, he claimed, was that some citizens retained Afghan passports while holding Pakistani ID cards, which is why they would then get blocked.
Mobin added that this issue had been ongoing for about 40 years now and “would not be resolved in a day”. The Interior Ministry was forwarded some recommendations on the matter. NADRA officials said earlier that they would only issue CNICs after completing all legal formalities.
Published in Daily Times, September 3rd 2018.
