THE ultimatum issued not so long ago by Interior Minister Rehman Malik to unregistered Afghans and Bengalis in Karachi has been a focus of debate. Although termed an important measure to check militancy in the city, its potential to affect innocents cannot be ignored.

This is because many of Karachi's multiethnic inhabitants, among them those who fled from South Waziristan because of the military operation, lack identity cards that would enable them to be recognised as Pakistanis.

Waziristan is among the most neglected regions of the country. Besides lacking in basic health and education facilities, there is little access to the people of Waziristan to requisite identification documents.

In order to get an identity card, the people are required to visit the Nadra office in Tank, which is difficult for most, especially for the women because of cultural constraints. This keeps most of the local population from acquiring an identity card that would be key to distinguishing them from outside elements.

They have faced numerous problems on this count. Many who did not possess identity cards have been detained at different check-posts as they fled their area. Many among the approximately 20,000 Mehsud and Waziri tribesmen who have taken refuge in Karachi's slums do not possess identity cards. As a result some have been whisked away, allegedly by security agencies, on the pretext of not possessing adequate proof of identity.

People from the community residing in Karachi have attempted to apply for identity cards but are turned away. They are instructed to go to the Nadra office in Tank, especially if their father's identity card was issued there. Those who lost their identity cards while fleeing their homes were required to do the same.

This display of apathy on the part of Nadra officials has disillusioned many who, as a result, question their place in the federation, for they believe that as Pakistani citizens access to identity cards must be provided to them nationwide. This should not be a major problem. After all, the maintenance of a national database primarily aims at retrieving information from any Nadra centre in the country.

It is not surprising that such a situation has given rise to feelings of alienation among the tribesmen, many of whom are not averse to supporting the militants, who they believe are fighting a jihad against a corrupt regime. The perceptions that arise because of the state obstructing their attempts to document their identity could have a blowback effect in Mehsud areas, as maintaining peace in a region without the support of its inhabitants is impossible.

If the government wishes to ensure lasting peace in Waziristan, it is important that it fulfils the needs of its people. It would benefit both the people of this tribal region and the state if identity cards were issued at the earliest. This would protect the people from the insecurity they face and give the government a complete record of details pertaining to the local populace.

Towards this end the government must send out mobile teams to Karachi's Pakhtun areas to issue identity cards to those who don't possess them. If Nadra officials come across a suspicious case, they should screen documents such as birth certificates and nikahnamas.

These documents would play an important role in determining the nationality of the person in question. Screening of parents' identity cards and questioning relatives of individuals being investigated can also play an important role in curbing illegal detentions.

gloriacaleb@cyber.net.pk