BAHAWALNAGAR: The row between officials of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) and local lawyers has been going on for over a week now and all mediation bids have failed due to which the Nadra office in Haroonabad remains closed for nine days.

Haroonabad lawyers and Nadra officials maintain their stances of action against the other party, while authorities remain indifferent to woes of computerised national identity card (CNIC) and Form B applicants. Supporters of both sides have been protesting daily for a week despite mediation bids by various circles.

Nadra Haroonabad office in-charge Ishfaq Qasim said the cases against their officials should be withdrawn, while the lawyers responsible should be taken to task. He said as far as the plight of applicants was concerned, the matter was in the notice of high-ups, who had not directed them to open the office yet.

Nadra Zonal Assistant Director Mian Saleem did not respond to various attempts to contact him about the fate of the spat and public complaints.

Haroonabad Bar President Muhammad Azam said some groups, including traders, the assistant commissioner and the deputy superintendent of police, had met them and asked to settle the dispute.

The bar conveyed to them that the Nadra officials responsible should be suspended and challaned, while case against lawyers withdrawn. He said the two sides have not had a meeting to resolve the dispute.

Nadra officials alleged lawyer Nisar Tatla visited the office on Nov 25 and demanded the CNIC of his relative. As per rules, only the holder can claim the card, but the lawyer insisted it be given to him and started misbehaving.

Later, the lawyer along with his colleagues entered the Nadra office and allegedly scuffled with officials. After the row, both lawyers and Nadra officials approached the police and sought legal proceedings.

The Haroonabad City police registered a case against 21 lawyers, of them six nominated, on the complaint of Nadra officials. The lawyers got a court order on Nov 26 and got a case registered against nine Nadra officials, of them five are nominated.

Published in Dawn December 4th , 2014