Provincial police and other law enforcement agencies have been directed to register cases under fraud and forgery against those engaged in misusing Watan Cards.
There are reports of misuse of Watan Cards by the unscrupulous preying on the poor illiterate flood victims by purchasing cards from them for Rs 20,000 with the intent to pocket the remaining Rs 80,000, which is scheduled to be given later through these cards, sources in Interior Ministry said while talking to this scribe on Monday.
The Interior Minister took serious note of the matter and has directed the police and other law enforcement agencies to enhance vigilance and apprehend the guilty. The affected people who have sold their cards should go to Nadra center, local police or DCO in their area or send SMS to get the card blocked and procure another one from Nadra.
The Interior Ministry received reports that some flood victims had sold their Watan Cards for Rs 20,000 as they were unable to use the ATM cards, sources revealed, adding that anyone other than a legitimate user of Watan Card would be arrested and charged under fraud act.
Flood affected people were drawing the first instalment of the assistance of Rs 20,000 through Watan Card, while the support of Rs 80,0000 for their rehabilitation will also be injected in this card later, Nadra sources said when contacted by this scribe.
It is the responsibility of the Interior Ministry and provincial governments to check any misuse of Watan Cards, sources said, adding that Nadra has nothing to do with these issues. If there is any political involvement in the distribution of cards, the government should check it and bring the people involved in this crime to task, Nadra sources added.
Nadra's responsibility lay in ensuring complete transparency in Watan Cards and it has succeeded in delivering this as per the expectations of the government, sources said. Nadra has the world's largest biometric database which helped it prepare Watan Cards for flood affected people in a very short period and it was appreciated by the international community, they said. Due to hectic efforts of Nadra staff and co-operation of provinces, the government has succeeded in distribution 1,035,515 Watan Cards among affected people.