DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Members of the Sulaimankhel tribe staged a protest demonstration here on Monday against the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) for blocking their computerised national identity cards (CNICs).

The protest was organised by Naujawan Tehreek Sulaimankhel in response to Nadra’s decision to suspend CNICs of the tribesmen.

As part of the demonstration, a protest rally was held, starting from Shaheed Haq Nawaz Gandapur Park and concluding at the Dera Press Club. The participants carried banners and placards criticising Nadra’s actions.

A large number of youth and elders from the Sulaimankhel tribe participated in the protest. The speakers at the rally condemned Nadra’s decision, calling it unjust. Fazal Karim Sulaimankhel, along with other prominent elders, including Haji Malik Nazar Khan, Ishaq Khan, Omar Khan, and Malik Haji Gul Shah Khan, addressed the rally.Fazal Karim Sulaimankhel and another tribal elder, Jumma Khan, stated that local Nadra authorities had labelled them as Afghans and refused to recognise them as Pakistani citizens.

The tribal elders stated that they were patriotic Pakistanis, and their ancestors had made significant contributions to the establishment of Pakistan, sacrificing their lives and wealth. They emphasised that their tribe had always been the protector of the borders. However, they criticised Nadra officials for banning the issuance of identity cards to their tribe, calling it completely unjust and beyond legal provisions.

The speakers stated that Nadra officials had provided various excuses for not issuing CNICs, but all of them were unjust. “Nadra has become a major obstacle in issuing our identity cards,” they added.

They urged Nadra officials to reconsider their decision and lift the ban on the CNICs of the Sulaimankhel tribe.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2024