Ethnic extremists holding e-ID program hostage, Afghan VP says

AVA- Danish had pledged that rollout of e-ID cards would begin last week, but it was delayed over persistent disagreement over the content of the cards.

“We all recognize that the e-ID card is one of the major national programs with millions of dollars spent on it. While the entire nation is impatiently waiting for rollout of the cards, certain ethnic extremists are holding the national program hostage,” Danish said during a ceremony to mark 14th anniversary of Constitution adoption.

The e-ID program was planned years ago, but there is disagreement among politicians and lawmakers over information on the cards, especially inclusion Afghan as nationality. Tensions over the issue have increased recently with some harsh verbal exchanges among lawmakers.

The VP said that stoking ethnic division is the most dangerous thing in Afghanistan and it violates the Constitution.

“The Constitution has officially accepted the diversification of ethnicity and it attaches significance to all ethnic groups of the country. According to the Constitution, no ethnic group is superior to another and no ethnic group can impose its view on others,” he said.

The VP’s remarks come as Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, a day earlier, endorsed delay in the launch of e-ID program.

“It should be launched with the consent of ethnic groups,” he said adding discussions in this regards were important.