Nadra offices in Mardan closed over security concerns

Our correspondent

MARDAN: The offices of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) in the district remained closed due to security reasons on Tuesday, officials said.

The guards standing outside the Nadra offices in various parts of Mardan district told the visitors that the Nadra offices had been closed due to security reasons.A large number of people including elderly persons and women faced problems owing to the closure of the Nadra offices.

This correspondent visited the Nadra office on the Charsadda Road, but was told by the security guard that it had been closed.However, District Police Officer (DPO) Faisal Shahzad, when contacted, said he had not issued any directive to the Nadra to close its offices. He maintained that Nadra can open its offices.  “The Nadra officials have closed down the offices in the district on their own accord,” the DPO clarified.

This correspondent made several attempts to reach Deputy Director Nadra Qaiser Khan Khattak, on his cellphone, but to no avail. A text massage was also sent to him, but he didn’t respond.

It has been learnt that Nadra is looking for another place in Mardan city where it could shift its offices.  Meanwhile, the police have announced Rs1 million as reward for the person giving information about the mastermind of the suicide attack on the Nadra office in Mardan 14 days ago.

The police displayed banners outside the main Nadra office in Dowsaro Chowk, announcing the reward and asking the general public to provide information about the perpetrator of the suicide attack.