PESHAWAR, Oct 23: The Peshawar High Court on Tuesday directed the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) to issue national identity cards to 39 tribesmen who were denied the card on suspicion of being Afghan nationals.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Tariq Pervez Khan and Justice Qaim Jan Khan observed that when the administration and the concerned Maliks had verified the petitioners’ nationality they were entitled to the national identity cards.

The bench was hearing a writ petition filed by Abdul Malik and 38 other inhabitants of Baezai, Mohmand Agency.

The petitioners said they had applied for the national identity cards about two years ago, adding that while the Nadra authorities had yet to issue them the said cards a local organisation, Mohmand Welfare Organisation, had challenged their nationality and asked the Nadra not to issue NICs to them.

Hassanullah Khan Afridi appeared on behalf of the Nadra and contended that the authority had initially decided to issue the cards to the petitioners, but after objections from the Mohmand Welfare Organisation they changed their mind.

The petitioners’ counsel, Abdul Lateef Afridi, argued that the Nadra had also asked the political agent of the Mohmand Agency to verify the petitioners’ documents.

He added that the assistant political agent of Baezai had verified to them that the petitioners were Pakistani nationals. He added that about 21 local Maliks had also attested their documents and verified that they were not Afghans.