2.4m e-ID cards distributed nationwide this year: NSIA

KABUL (Pajhwok): The National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) has distributed over 2.4 million electronic identity cards across the country since the beginning of the current solar year.

Officials say if international donors are found, the cost of electronic ID cards will be reduced.

Mohammad Halim Rafi, NSIA spokesperson, told Pajhwok Afghan News that since the beginning of the 1403 solar year, more than 2.4 million citizens were issued electronic ID cards.

He said electronic ID cars have been issued to nearly 8.2 million people since the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan takeover in 2021.

He added since the launch of the electronic ID card distribution process, a total of over 15.2 million citizens have received their cards across Afghanistan.

The electronic ID cards distribution process started on May 3, 2018.

However, the NSIA spokesperson did not provide details about the revenue collected from the issuance of electronic ID cards.

About 74 electronic ID cards distribution centres are currently operating in the country.

Additionally, some branches are active outside the country as well.

Rafi recalled that in the 1403 solar year, six new distribution centres were established in Helmand, Maidan Wardak, Ghazni, Kandahar, and Herat provinces.

Addressing concerns about rising cost of electronic ID cards, Rafi explained that an assessment determined the actual cost of one ID card to be 570 afghanis. However, the government has currently subsidized the price, charging only 70 afghanis per card from its budget.

He recalled that the previous government had international donors covering printing costs, but now those funds are no longer available. If new donors are found, the cost of electronic ID cards may be reduced.

Regarding services offered by the Asan Khidmat “Easy Service” centres, the spokesperson said that currently seven centres are operating in Kabul, Helmand, Kandahar, and Khost provinces. These centres facilitate the issuance of new ID cards, post-issuance modifications, birth certificates, death certificates, and consular services.

In Kabul alone, approximately 2,000 people visit these centres daily. Plans are underway to open additional Asan Khidmat branches in Herat, Balkh, and Nangarhar in the near future, with further expansions planned for other provinces next year, he added.

Rafi continued the government was planning to build a large complex in Kabul to expand these services. Although no specific details were provided about the project, officials say that once completed, it will also facilitate the issuance of passports, marriage certificates, educational documents, and driving licenses.

Zabiullah Amin Safi, the director of the Asan Khidmat centre in the Bagh-i-Bala area of Kabul, told Pajhwok that their centre provides services in four categories: new ID issuance, post-issuance modifications, birth certificates, and death certificates.

On average, 800 people visit this centre daily, and plans are in place to introduce consular services soon. The centre has 42 employees and operates from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

Meanwhile, many citizens are calling on the government to open more electronic ID card distribution centres across the country.

Sangin Amiri, a resident of Nangarhar province, travelled to Kabul to obtain his electronic ID card. He stated that due to high demand and congestion at ID centres in Nangarhar, he had to come to the capital and had been waiting for four days.

He urged the government to establish more ID distribution centers across all provinces so that people can access services easily in their local areas.

Similarly, Maroof, a resident of Faryab, came to Kabul to obtain an electronic ID card for his wife. He mentioned that he applied two days ago and successfully received the ID card today.

Like many others, he emphasised the need for additional centres in provinces to ease the process for citizens.

According to NSIA, efforts are being made to extend electronic ID card services to remote areas of Afghanistan.

kk/ma