QUETTA: The Standing-Committee of Senate for Interior on Tuesday directed National Database and Registration Authority to issue blocked National Identity Cards in Balochistan following Local Bodies elections in order to allow citizens for using their electoral rights.

The Standing Committee meeting presided by Convener Senator Kulsoom Parveen decided to constitute committees at district level regarding verification process and release of NICs at Quetta on Tuesday.

NADRA officials informed the meeting total 28,920 NICs are blocked in Balochistan due to incomplete documents while NADRA has established 18 office at Afghan and Iran bordering cities where verification rules being implemented strictly.

Director General NADRA Balochistan Colonel Abid told provincial senators and MPAs that foreign citizens at bordering cities being prevented from obtaining national identity cards hence NADRA has been strictly implementing on verification rules,

“Afghan Refugees have been using local family trees which has been pestering NADRA officials thus we have been utilizing all resources to halt Afghan citizens from receiving Pakistani NICs.” DG NADRA briefed the meeting added action being launched against NADRA officials and staff involved in corrupt practices.

Senator Shafique Tareen, Opposition Leader Malik Sikandar Advocate, MPA Ahmed Nawaz Baloch, Malik Naseer Shahwani, Nasrullah Zeeray, Naseebullah Marri, Mubeen Khilji, Abdul Qadir Nail, Sanaullah Baloch, Shakeela Naveed and Akhtar Hussain Langove have stressed upon baring foreigners from obtaining national identity card.

DG NADRA urged politicians and civil society to play their active role in increasing women registration in NADRA.

Convener Senate’s Standing Committee Senator Kulsoom Parveen has directed NADRA officials to enhance NADRA staff and mobile registration vehicles at remote areas of Balochistan,

“NADRA should expedite efforts to issue blocked NICs in Balochistan ahead of Local Bodies Elections in the province.” She added.