QUETTA: The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has confirmed that departments concerned are verifying over 42,000 applications submitted in Balochistan for obtaining CNICs (computerised national identity cards).

A spokesman for Nadra said in a statement here on Monday that after verification of documents CNICs would be issued to the applicants.

He rejected allegations levelled by some political parties that Nadra had a different policy for Pakhtun applicants, saying that CNICs were not issued on the bases of language, caste or creed. There was no discrimination against Pakh­tuns living in Balochistan and Nadra rules were same for all Pakistani citizens, he added.

The chairman of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) in a recent media talk accused Nadra of discriminating against Pakhtuns living in Balochistan.

The Nadra spokesman rejected the allegations and said CNICs were issued after verification of documents attached with application forms by federal and provincial departments.

He, however, said that some CNICs had been cancelled in Balochistan because the applicants had failed to submit proofs of their Pakistani nationality. As many as 1,970 CNICs had been cancelled in the province, he added.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2015

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