KHAR: The National Database and Registration Authority has closed its swift registration centre for women in Umary area of Bajaur Agency’s Mamond tehsil.

No reason has been cited for the move.

However, an insider claimed nonpayment of rent to the owner of the house, where the centre was established, was to blame.

“No payment has been made to the house owner for several months prompting the eviction of Nadra staff,” he said.

The insider said the centre’s rent was paid from the government funds issued to local Senator Hidaytullah Khan but the payment was halted several months ago for unidentified reasons.

He claimed the centre, which was set up in 2011, had not been closed permanently as its management was busy arranging money for rent payment.

“Our top bosses are in constant contact with the Nadra headquarters, local administration and local lawmakers on the matter. They’re hopeful that the centre will resume operations very soon,” said the official.

Local residents have protested the centre’s closure and complained many women, especially those from the remote areas of the tehsil, were in distress over delay in the issuance of computerised national identity cards.

“I along with my wife have been visiting the centre for many days to get her CNIC but the visit has proved useless due to the centre’s closure. We’re in distress as no one is telling us about the centre’s reopening,” said Zahir Shah.

The people demanded that the relevant authorities step in and ensure the early reopening of the centre.

A Nadra official said the centre was established after a woman suicide bomber below herself up at the World Food Organisation food distribution centre in Khar on December 25, 2010 leaving at least 45 people dead.

The bombing occurred near a Nadra registration centre.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2015

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