Arbitrary Blocking of CNICs in Balochistan Has Economically Paralyzed Thousands of Families; Government Measures Ineffective: Senator Jan Buledi
Blocking an Entire Family's Cards on the Basis of One Individual Is Oppression; Dual Citizenship Agreement with Oman Should Be Made for Gwadar Citizens: Senate Address
ISLAMABAD, QUETTA (Daily Qudrat Quetta) — National Party Parliamentary Leader Senator Jan Muhammad Buledi, while raising a point of attention in the Senate of Pakistan on the issue of blocked CNICs of citizens of Makran and Rakhshan divisions, said that the blocking of identity cards in Balochistan has left citizens facing severe difficulties, and the government should take effective measures to resolve this issue. He said that due to Balochistan’s historical and geographical situation, people in areas bordering Iran and Afghanistan have had family, social, and trade relations for centuries. In the context of these border links and relationships, the blocking of CNICs has left numerous families facing difficulties. Senator Jan Muhammad Buledi said that Gwadar was previously under the administration of the Sultanate of Oman, and even after joining Pakistan, some local citizens there hold Omani citizenship. Recent government measures have affected such citizens, and the closure of their bank accounts has increased financial difficulties. He demanded that the Government of Pakistan consider a dual citizenship agreement with Oman to resolve the problems faced by local citizens of Gwadar, so that affected individuals can be relieved of their difficulties. The National Party leader said that Pakistan has dual citizenship agreements with some far-off countries; however, due to the lack of proper arrangements with neighboring countries in this regard, citizens of border areas are suffering. He further said that if, in NADRA’s record, one member of a family possesses a document of Iranian citizenship, then allegedly the CNICs of the entire family are blocked, which creates difficulties for other family members as well. He stressed that instead of putting an entire family through difficulties on the basis of one individual’s citizenship, each citizen’s case should be reviewed separately and fairly. Senator Jan Muhammad Buledi urged the government to review the cases of blocked CNICs of citizens of border areas, including Makran and Rakhshan divisions, find workable solutions, and relieve affected families of legal and administrative difficulties.
