Police claim tribal elders in FATA attest documents for them. PHOTO: EXPRESS
Police have accused Afghan refugees of bluffing the country’s immigration system and obtaining CNICs through unfair means.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, a police official, requesting anonymity, said loopholes in the system have made it difficult to determine how many Afghan nationals are residing in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the tribal belt.
“Many Afghan refugees claim they are lawful citizens of the country,” he said. “However, it is difficult for us to verify this information.”
Verification process
According to the official, a joint verification board (JVB) has been established at police lines to verify such claims.
“The board comprises a member each from NADRA, intelligence bureau, special branch, ISI and Commissionerate Afghan Refugees,” he said. “JVB is responsible for verifying claims of foreigners trying to attain Pakistani citizenship.”
Another official told The Express Tribune, the verification method used by the board is effective.
“However, as per rules, if people who have been termed refugees by the board claim they belong to a tribal agency, JVB must refer them to the relevant agency,” he said. “The refugees can then establish their claims by submitting supporting documents to NADRA. They will only be issued CNICs after they have fulfilled all requirements.”
Loopholes and beyond
So far, a JVB has only been established in Bajaur Agency. Since the board has not been established in other parts of the tribal belt, there is no reliable way of determining whether a person is a refugee or not.
More often than not, tribal elders, who are authorised to attest documents, verify papers provided by these refugees. According to an official privy to the development, this increases their chances of obtaining citizenship.
“At times, the tribal elders tend to accept bribes from these refugees and attest their documents,” the official said. “A large number of tribal elders feel socially obliged to attest documents due to communal relations with Afghans living in the region.”
Rules and regulations
According to the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951, anyone who migrated to Pakistan before August 1951 automatically became a Pakistani national. However, those who arrived afterwards must apply for citizenship as per the procedure specified by the federal government. “However, many Afghan nationals do not follow the legal procedure,” another police official said, requesting anonymity. “Afghan nationals secure Pakistani citizenship using unfair means.”
The other view
A local businessman who deals in poultry admitted he was an Afghan refugee but obtained a CNIC in order to work and live in the country lawfully. He now owns two plazas located on Charsadda Road.
“I have worked hard to establish my business here,” he said. “Whatever I own is in this country. Pakistan has provided opportunities for me. I can’t live in Afghanistan.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 11th, 2015.
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