PkMAP Calls NADRA’s Pre-1979 Evidence Requirement Unfair and Anti-People, Demands Immediate Review
QUETTA: The Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party (PkMAP) has strongly criticized the requirement of providing evidence dating back to before 1979 for obtaining Pakistani identity cards, citizenship and other identification documents, calling the policy excessively strict, discriminatory and anti-people.
In a press statement, the party urged the Government of Pakistan and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to immediately review the policy and address the difficulties faced by citizens, particularly people in Pashtunkhwa and other areas with large Pashtun populations.
The party said a large number of families face unnecessary hurdles during the process of obtaining and verifying identity documents. Many families, particularly in rural and tribal areas, no longer possess government records or other documents dating back several decades.
According to PkMAP, making pre-1979 evidence mandatory ignores historical realities and the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens. It said record-keeping systems in the past were not as organized or comprehensive as they are today, making it unreasonable to demand decades-old documentary evidence from every citizen.
The party demanded that the pre-1979 requirement be abolished or immediately amended, with acceptable official evidence dating back to at least 1985 being recognized. It also called for a simple, transparent and practical procedure for citizens who can provide legally valid documents proving their identity and citizenship.
PkMAP said an identity card is a fundamental legal and civic right of every citizen. Unnecessary obstacles in obtaining identity documents can deprive people of access to government services, education, employment, banking, travel facilities, property transactions and other essential services.
The party also urged the government and NADRA to eliminate any discriminatory or impractical procedures against Pashtun citizens, make the verification system transparent and citizen-friendly, and establish special facilitation centers for families whose old records are unavailable.
It emphasized that if there are legal or documentary concerns regarding an individual, the matter should be investigated on a case-by-case basis rather than subjecting all Pashtun citizens to the same stringent requirements.
PkMAP workers and members of the public have also appealed to all lawmakers and senators to raise the issue on the floor of Parliament, seek an explanation from the government and relevant institutions, and push for amendments allowing evidence dating back to 1985 to be accepted.
The party said resolving the issue could help millions of affected Pashtun citizens obtain identity documents, citizenship recognition and their basic civic rights, urging the government and NADRA to take immediate and positive action.
