Mohmand politics: ‘Afghan tribesmen issued identity cards illegally’

Election candidate claims 13,000 identity cards were illegally issued to Afghan tribesmen from the Kauchi tribe.

PESHAWAR: Haji Khandan Khan, an independent candidate contesting for NA-36 Mohmand Agency, alleged authorities have illegally issued thousands of identity papers to Afghan nationals in return for bribes.

In a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club (PPC) on Wednesday, Khandan claimed about 13,000 identity cards were issued to Afghan tribesmen from the Kauchi tribe.

“Their votes are also being registered,” he alleged, adding that if a candidate attains these votes, the elections will turn into a sham.

He alleged that illegal registration was being carried out to benefit the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) candidate from the area.



The Mohmand political agent had also convened a jirga on the issue after tribesmen decried over issuance of identity cards to the Kauchis, Khandan said. He alleged that the official misreported the issues to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) Secretariat.



Khandan requested the security agencies, the Election Commission of Pakistan, and the Supreme Court to take notice and punish those found guilty.

His list of demands included the cancellation of identity cards and denying the right to vote to people who illegally acquired documents.

This needs to be done to ensure free and fair elections, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th, 2013.