PESHAWAR: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Sirajul has asked National Database and Registration Authority to release the blocked computerised national identity cards before local bodies’ elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Addressing a public meeting here on Charsadda Road on Thursday, he demanded that Nadra should release blocked cards all across the country within three months. He said that a large number of people would not be able to cast their vote in the local bodies’ election in KP therefore the authority should unblock the cards.

Nadra had blocked thousands of ‘dubious’ identity cards in KP which were being verified. A large number of Afghan nationals had obtained computerised cards in KP which prompted the authority to block it for verification. Sirajul Haq said that blocking of cards was a serious issue and Nadra should resolve it on priority basis.

Expressing concern over frequent power outages in Peshawar and other parts of the province, he said that people had been experiencing more then 20 hours loadshedding on daily basis. He warned that if Peshawar Electric Supply Company did not decrease duration of loadshedding, his party would have to make a ‘tough’ decision.

He urged people to give vote to his party-supported panels in the upcoming local government elections in KP to be held on May 30. On the occasion he announced names of candidates for the coming polls from the area. JI had decided to make seat-to-seat adjustment with Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf for the election in KP.

The JI chief said his party would fight for the economic rights of the province. In this connection he rejected the proposed changes in the route of Pak-China Economic Corridor, adding that the federal government should not make this vital project controversial.

He said that he would also discuss the issue with Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch and other leaders of the province. He said that wrong policies of the establishment had resulted in separation of East Pakistan and rulers should not repeat mistakes of the past.

He urged the government to call a special meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Conference on Yemen crisis, saying that Israel and America would take benefits from the conflicts in the Middle East.

On the occasion workers of Awami National Party and other political groups announced joining JI. Others leaders also addressed the public meeting.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2015

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