Registering residents: Joint survey by police, NADRA under way

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad Police, along with officials of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), have started registering residents of the federal capital in order to maintain an active database in light of prevailing security threats.

According to a police official, registration of residents in Tarnol, Bhara Kahu, sectors G-6, I-11 and I-10 has been completed.

“The fresh survey is being jointly carried out by around 35 teams of NADRA and Islamabad Police. We are carrying out the survey in view of the recent displacement from North Waziristan,” the official said, requesting anonymity.

He said it is feared that terrorists may come to the capital and its adjoining areas in the guise of internally displaced persons, adding the survey was being conducted to monitor their movement and activities.

Similar surveys have been carried out in the past but this time a comprehensive database will be made which will include the total number of families, their histories and addresses of their native towns.

“The survey will help police counter criminal activities and will enable us to trace culprits in their native towns if they escape after committing a crime,” he said.

The survey will not be restricted to urban areas but data will be collected from rural areas as well.

The idea of the survey was realised after the recent attack at the lower courts in Sector F-8, combined with threats of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan to target the twin cities.

Senior Superintendent of Police Muhammad Ali Nekokara could not be reached despite several attempts.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 20^th, 2014.