
By Sudheer Ahmad Afridi
KHYBER: The NADRA office in Landi Kotal has remained closed for two days due to an alleged altercation between local government representatives and the NADRA manager. This closure has significantly affected elderly individuals and women who traveled from remote areas seeking identity card services, forcing them to return without assistance and resulting in both financial loss and wasted time. NADRA officials have refrained from commenting on the situation.
The dispute reportedly stemmed from a citizen’s complaint to the tehsil chairman regarding repeated delays in the renewal of a blocked ID card, which was sent for verification for the third time. This prompted a verbal clash between the tehsil chairman and the NADRA manager, leading to an FIR being filed by NADRA staff against the chairman and other representatives. Subsequently, without any prior notice, NADRA staff closed the office, creating considerable hardship for the local population.
Tehsil Chairman Shah Khalid Shinwari highlighted ongoing complaints against NADRA, particularly concerning the unwarranted blocking of ID cards. He noted that when he questioned the NADRA manager about the reasons for blocking an ID card, the response indicated that NADRA had the authority to block cards if there were any doubts.