Miranshah gets passport office

PESHAWAR: Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Saturday inaugurated the first passport office in Miranshah, the district headquarters of North Waziristan.

“The incumbent government is paying special attention to develop the merged districts and has allocated special funds for the purpose,” he said while addressing the inaugural ceremony, reports Geo News.

The minister acknowledged the numerous sacrifices of the tribal people to safeguard the motherland from enemies, saying they always stood shoulder to shoulder with the country's army against terrorists.

He also lauded their support to the armed forces for restoration of durable peace in the region.

“The tribal people have fought the war for the country's survival and the entire nation is proud of their bravery and sacrifices,” he said.

On a personal note, the minister said he was in favor of the Jirga system, as it provided a good alternative justice system due to the involvement of local elders who understood issues of the community better.

“The government will work to strengthen local customs, traditions, and laws, as the social fabric of Waziristan was unique,” he said.

He said locals will also be recruited in the National Database & Registration Authority (Nadra) and passport offices on merit.

The minister also announced that two Nadra mobile vans would function in North Waziristan's remote areas to ease the registration process.

He said the immigration process would also be made easy at the Pak-Afghan border to facilitate movement of people, adding that a passport office would also be established at Angoor Adda.

The minister said internet services had been restored in South Waziristan, and this facility would be extended to North Waziristan this year.