‘Distribution issue of e-NICs being used for political purpose’

Monitoring Desk

KABUL: Some Afghan political analysts believe that the issue of distribution of electronic identity card was being used for political purpose in the country.

Few days ago, President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani and several other senior officials of national unity government registered themselves for electronic national identity cards and announced that the distribution of electronic cards would soon be started.

The office of Chief Executive Officer, however, opposed the announcement of distribution of electronic cards without removing grievances of a segment in the country who are opposed to the addition of word Afghan in the nationality column and wanted it to be replaced with ethnicity column.

The issue is totally political motivated and both the sides are using it for political purpose, said Abdul Wali Wahab, a political expert.

He told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) Monday that when a legal aspect of an issue is resolved then it must be implemented and unlawful demands should be ignored.

President’s former advisor on good governance Ahmad Zia Masood while addressing a meeting warned that the distribution of electronic cards would push the country towards crisis. He urged the masses to rise against the distribution of electronic cards.

Similarly, 2nd deputy of chief executive, Muhammad Mohaqiq, said no one could impose their identity on the other people.

However, 1st deputy chief executive Engineer Muhammad Khan announced support to the distribution of computerized cards, saying they would not tolerate creating any hurdle for the process.

All the legal sides of the issues have been resolved and the issue of nationality column is only aimed at keeping the people busy, said Abdul Subhan, a legal expert.

He said the government should start the distribution of electronic cards.

Engineer Said Rahim Sattar, another political analyst, said only the people whoes personal interests were in dangers were opposed to the process.

“If the distribution of [electronic] identity cards are started, they would not be able to get salaries 10 departments at a time, election would become transparent, terrorists would be stopped and everyone’s identity would become clear,” he said.

He said he was sure that the distribution of electronic cards would be started, adding some people were using the issue for political purpose.