More ID card distribution centres sought in Helmand

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Only two ID card distribution centres are functional in southern Helmand province, residents say, complaining they cannot meet the needs of the entire provincial population.

Massoud, a resident of Kajaki district came to Lashkargah to obtain his ID card, said: “Four days ago, I approached the Statistical and Information Centre and have since been waiting for my turn.”

He urged the government to establish ID card distribution centres in every district so that people could easily obtain the important document.

Mohibullah, who has come from Marja district to the provincial capital for the same purpose, complained his economic situation was not good. Such centres be available in each district, he suggested.

“Out of poverty,” he said, “nine of us have travelled here in a single car. It’s the fourth day we are waiting for our turn,” he added.

According to him, Helmand is a large and populated province, where the government should set up more ID card distribution centres to meet people’s needs, considering the geographical structure of the province.

Meanwhile, the Statistical and Information Centre acknowledged public problems and promised addressing the issues soon.

Hafiz Mohammad Rabbani Hewad, director of the centre, said: “Since the return of the Islamic Emirate, 12.2 million ID cards have been distributed in Helmand and there are plans to activate new centres in the districts.”

He said a centre for distribution of ID cards had been approved for the Greshk district of this province and would be opened soon.

Hewad recalled one such distribution centre in Lashkargah had opened in the solar year 1401 and a second in 1402. Currently, each of them provides 550 ID cards daily.

He added thousands of applicants visited the centres on a daily basis -- most of them from districts.

sa/mud