LANDI KOTAL: The National Database and Registration Authority in collaboration with Fata Secretariat has formed verification committees in all the seven tribal agencies for detection of fake computerised national identity cards and release of all genuine blocked cards.

Of ficials at the Fata Secretariat said that committees were formed after instructions to the ef fect were given to them by both the federal government and KP governor after receipt of complaints from thousands of tribesmen about blockage of their CNICs.

They said that the newly-formed committees would comprise of ficials of both Nadra and political administration along with representatives from different intelligence agencies operating in tribal areas. They said that, if required, assistance of local elders would also be taken.`A list of all the blocked CNICs will be presented before every committee which will look into them on case to case basis with emphasis on restoration of all the genuine cards while those acquired on bogus means would be permanently blocked, the of ficials told this scribe.

Though the exact number of blocked and fake CNICs in tribal areas is not available, the political administration in different tribal agencies have been receiving hundreds of applications on monthly basis for restoration of blocked CNICs from local communities.

The officials also said that thousands of tribesmen were denied casting vote during the 2013 general elections due to blockage of their CNICs. They also had their passports rendered ineffective and thus were unable to go abroad.-Correspondent