Ghazni residents blast long lasting CNIC process

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): The residents of southern Ghazni province are complaining about delays in issuance of Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) and discriminatory behaviour of the officials concerned.

Officials in-charge of the process acknowledge some problems in issuance of CNIC but reject discriminatory behaviour in the process.

Wakeel Ahmad, a resident, said majority employees of the CNIC office in Ghazni were not professional and created problems for applicants.

“I came from Andar district and waited in Ghazni City for my turn. If you have reference, you are preferred while common people have to wait for months for their turn.”

Ahmadullah, another resident of Ghazni, said some people obtained their CNICs by a phone call while others waited for months.

“I know some people who just visited the office for biometric and filled their forms and received their CNIC at home, but it is the third month after filling my form and I still awaiting biometric verification,” he said.

Ghazni Provincial Council Secretary Hameedullah Sarwari told Pajhwok Afghan News that people had registered complains with them regarding problems in the CNIC process.

“We visited the site few days back and observed the process. There are some problems which officials pledged to resolve them and we will continue our observation from the process,” he said.

But SherinAqaSahak, head of the CNIC Office in Ghazni, said some problems existed in the process and they were trying to resolve them.

“We take biometrics of 200 people daily and distribute CNICs to 200 people. There is lack of resources and the number of applicants is very high.”

He acknowledged some people used their approach for a smooth process of their CNIC but added they were trying to deal with all applicants on equal basis.

“We have one office currently in Ghazni and we are trying to create more offices to resolve public problems in this process,” he said.

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