DERA GHAZI KHAN, Dec 20: National Database and Registration Authority could make computerized national identity cards of only 39 per cent population of the district.

District registration officer Rab Nawaz told this scribe that of 1.6 million population of the district, the regional office had made 800,000 national identity cards since 1974.

He said 290,027 computerized national identity cards had been prepared from June, 2001, to December 19, 2003, which was 39 per cent. Half a million people were still without new identity cards.

NADRA Swift Centre chief Mr Shahzad said the centre was set up in February and since then it has processed 40,947 applications.

Meanwhile, a number of applicants complained of delay in the issuance of new cards. A man told this scribe on condition of anonymity that he submitted his application at the swift centre on Oct 15 and was still awaiting the computerized card.

The residents of Tribal Area have been complaining against declaring their tehsil ‘Ilaqa Ghair’ by NADRA in the cards. This mistake has been creating misconception about the identification of Tribal Areas.

They said when they travelled abroad, the staff at airports treated them suspected them of being members of Al Qaeda.