Gen Raziq supports launch of e-NIC distribution

Monitoring Desk

KABUL: The police chief of southern Kandahar province General Abdul Raziq welcomes and supports the preliminary steps taken for the launch of the electronic National Identity Cards (e-NIC). Gen. Raziq says the distribution of the electronic Identity Cards is a serious requirement, insisting that the distribution of the new national identity cards should begin soon.

In the meantime, Gen. Raziq says that he will not allow anyone to take political advantage by creating hurdles on the way for the launch of the electronic National Identity Cards. According to Gen. Raziq, the legal formalities for the distribution of the new national identity cards have been finalized and hence the program should be launched as soon as possible.

He also insisted that the new identity cards should be distributed based on the amended law that was passed by the joint parliamentary commission. This comes as the Chief Executive of the Government of National Unity Abdullah Abdullah on Friday called for the suspension of the distribution of the new national identity cards as he emphasized on further negotiations and a national consensus before the process kicks off.

A joint parliamentary commission approved a presidential decree to pave the way for the start of the process late in December last year. The decree by President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani was issued to modify the controversial article#6 of the census law which prevented the launch of electronic national identity cards distribution since a long period of time. The decree stated that the nationality of the ID card holders should be mentioned as Afghan while the religion should also be reflected in the card as Islam.