ANYONE looking to obtain a national identity card or a passport, seeking admission to a college or a university, or purchasing an asset, etc., has to go through a laborious process of fulfilling numerous formalities. And I think everyone will agree that getting the photocopies of necessary documents or testimonials attested has become one of the most challenging parts of the exercise.

These educational documents and testimonials can be attested by a gazetted government or semi-government organisation officer who must be of a certain pay scale.

Document attestation was not so difficult when there were several public-sector organisations. A large number of public-sector institutions, banks and financial institutions have either been denationalised or acquired by private entities. Those employed by these institutions are not authorised to facilitate the citizens in this regard.

Job-seekers are sometimes required to submit attested photocopies of their educational and experience certificates to the prospective employer. Similarly, in order to get a birth or a death certificate or other necessary documents, people have a hard time locating those good enough for attestation purposes.

The situation in rural and remote parts of the country is even more complicated, as tracing a gazetted officer in such areas is next to impossible.

Therefore, the government should restore the attestation powers of those working with banks and financial institutions, as bank branches are located in almost all regions, districts and union councils. Moreover, in the larger public interest, the authority to attest documents may also be given to officers of leading multinational companies. The relevant authorities should look into the matter with the intention to resolve the issue.

Nisar Ahmed
Karachi

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2022