October 29, 2003	Wednesday	Ramazan 2, 1424

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PESHAWAR, Oct 28: The National Database & Registration Authority (Nadra) has set up a screening cell at the Directorate of Hajj to counter-check the antecedents of Pakistani pilgrims from the NWFP.

An official told that Nadra had set up its Versys Software System at the directorate’s offices in Peshawar to block non-Pakistanis from going to other countries by using fake Pakistan passports.

The official said that the system was working very well and recently it blocked data of 400 to 500 pilgrims after detecting errors in names, identity card numbers or addresses.

He said that Nadra was working to get the errors rectified.

Nadra has claimed achieving of 66 per cent computer registration of the adult population in the NWFP and the Federally-administered tribal areas.

NWFP Nadra Director-General Brig Muhammad Anwar told Dawn that out of a total target of 8.8 million population, Nadra had been able to issue computerised NICs to 5.7 million people.

He said that in view of the presence of over a million Afghan refugees, Nadra was taking all precautions.

Brig Anwar said that Nadra had so far registered 1631 cases involving more than 900 Afghan refugees and their Pakistani sponsors.

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