Fake CNICs: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police fail to register new cases

Number of accused arrested for the crime remains same even after some months

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police has failed to tackle the menace of fake CNICs as it did not register a single case against those involved in the practice over the past few months.

The data obtained by The Express Tribune in March 2016 showed that 2,172 people were booked for possessing fake CNICs across the province, while 950 were rounded up for attesting the CNIC forms of Afghan nationals. Besides, 210 facilitators and touts were also arrested.

When The Express Tribune obtained the data on May 6, it revealed that during the past few months, the number of suspects booked or arrested for the said crime remains the same. It showed the police failed to nab more people involved in this practice.

After the Army Public School attack, a crackdown was launched against those Afghan nationals who had obtained CNICs illegally. In addition, FIRs were also registered against several politicians, including sitting MNAs and MPAs, as well as former Peshawar mayors, for helping Afghan refugees get CNICs.

When approached for comments, a police official told The Express Tribune the registration of FIRs had stopped the process of getting fake CNICs to a great extent. “NADRA spotted such CNICs and informed us. We arrested those who facilitated the process.” He maintained if more such CNICs are discovered by NADRA, FIRs would be registered against those involved.  So far, NADRA has shared no new details with us.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 10^th, 2016.