BNP to protest against issuance of CNICs to Afghan immigrants

Quetta: Balochistan National Party has announced protest schedule against issuance of Computerized National Identity cards and Passports to Afghan immigrants. Protests will be held all over Balochistan from 12th August to 27th August.

According to Press release of BNP, 4 million afghan immigrants, residing in Balochistan, have been illegally issued citizenship documents of Pakistan. BNP strongly condemns the issuance of illegal documents to afghan immigrants and the party will continue its protests, according to the press release.

In line with the protest schedule, protests will be held on; 12th august in Quetta, Noshki and Chaghi, 15th August in Kharan, Washuk and Baseema, 17th August in Kalat, Mastung, Surab and Khuzdar, 19th August in Bolan, Sibi, Naseerabad and Jaffarabad, 21st August in Dear Ghazi Khan, Barkhan, Harnai, Musa Khel and Loralai, 24th August in Turbat, Pasni, Panjgur, Gwadar, Ormara and Jeewani and on 27th August in Karachi, Las Bela, Sohbatpur, Shehdad Kot, Jacobabad and Hub.

BNP demands that all documents issued to Afghan Immigrants should be cancelled immediately. BNP also urged the officials of NADRA and Passport office to not come under political pressure and stop issuing documents to Afghan Immigrants.

Furthermore, the press release stated that BNP will go to any lengths to protect the rights of all citizens of Balochistan. The party will not remain silent on biased decisions based on ethnicity.

Two months ago, NAB arrested three officials of NADRA in Balochistan. During investigations, NADRA officials confessed to have issued CNICs to at least 500,000 Afghan Immigrants. In June this year, FIA revealed that hundreds of thousands of CNIC have been illegally issued to Afghan immigrants. According to FIA, some political parties are involved in assisting Afghan immigrants in acquiring CNICs.

Web Desk

Published in The Balochistan point on August 1, 2014.