ISLAMABAD: The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has ruled out unrestricted movement of criminals along the Torkham border following closure of its verification service in the area.

A Nadra spokesperson has dismissed the impression that with the closure of verification service people with dubious credentials can enter or leave the country.

He said in the wake of passport regime, the Integrated Border Management System (IBMS) has been operationalised at Torkham and no person with such credentials can pass through unchecked.

With regard to closure of Nadra’s verification service, he said the service has been discontinued on the direction of Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Khyber.

Giving the details, the spokesperson sta­ted that the verification service (Verisys) was provided to Deputy Commissioner Khy­ber at Torkham under a mutual agreement e-Rahdari project from January, 2017.

Nadra provided network connectivity and technical support (remotely & on site) as and when required. Whereas the CNIC verification was managed by the relevant authorities, the spokesperson added.

However, in a meeting on Sept 3, 2021, with Nadra, the ADC Khyber said that the CNIC verification services were no more required as the project has been closed with effect from June 30, 2021. The ADC also officially communicated in the same meeting about the closure of the project (Non-ADP Scheme “Stopgap Arrange­me­­nt”), which was also intimated to the quarters concerned.

Nadra thereafter discontinued the Verification Service on the direction of district administration on Sept 14, 2021, the spokesperson added.

It is clarified that the Nadra staff hired for e-Rahdari project was also handed over in 2016 at the time of handing over the project to PA Khyber. Since then Nadra has only been providing technical support which continued till the closure of the services.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2021