LAKKI MARWAT: Tribal chiefs have asked the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) to deploy women staff at its outlet located in the Speenwam area of North Waziristan tribal district.

Talking to reporters in Bannu, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Malik Liaqat Ali Wazir, Malik Ziaur Rehman, Malik Yousaf Haroon, Mufti Hikmatullah and others said tribal women had to face numerous hardships in getting computerised national identity cards (CNICs) at the facility due to the unavailability of women staffers.

Referring to local customs, Liaqat Wazir said tribeswomen observed purdah (veil) and avoided interacting with male employees in the Nadra facility.

He said deployment of women staffers would encourage local women to visit the facility to get CNICs.

The tribal chiefs said they repeatedly highlighted the issue on different platforms in order to bring it into the notice of relevant authorities, but to no avail. They said many tribal women did not possess CNICs as their men did not permit them to confront male employees at the Nadra centre.

They asked the district administration to take up the issue with Nadra authorities.

ARREST: Bannu police claimed to have arrested a key member of a gang of street criminals during a raid the other day.

An official said district police officer Iftekhar Shah had received information that four unknown armed men had deprived a citizen of cash and a motorcycle on the Jaman Road.

He said the cantonment police was tasked with tracing the suspects.

He added the police traced the gang with the help of modern technology and succeeded in arresting one of its key members, identified as Shah Faisal, a resident of Sukari Zabita Khan.

The official said the cops seized a pistol and a motorcycle from the man. He said efforts were underway to arrest his fleeing accomplices.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2023