Unregistered: Over 6,000 women in G-B without CNIC: survey

Without an identity card, the women are unable to become beneficiaries of the BISP

GILGIT:

Over 6,000 women are deprived of Computerised National Identity Cards (CNIC) in remote areas of Gilgit, a recent survey by a non-profit organisation has revealed.

Without an identity card, the women are unable to become beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme, or receive the rights they are entitled to, such as the right to vote, health insurance and Watan cards, said Ejaz Khan, an official of Publishing Extension Network that conducted the survey.

Khan said the women will be registered with the National Database and Registration Authority for their CNICs in June. A team of experts will assist the women in the documentation and the forms for CNIC will be endorsed by the chairmen of the respective union councils to verify the data, he added.

The survey was conducted in five areas of Gilgit: Bagrote, Haramosh, Kargah, Naltar and Juglote. Khan said that the survey will be expanded to other parts of the region to ensure that every woman gets her CNIC and avails the rights she is entitled to.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2012.