Following a recent announcement by the Islamic Emirate over the distribution of national identity cards, the National Statistics and Information Authority said on Monday that electronic National Identity Card (eNIC) centers are going to reopen on Wednesday across Afghanistan. 

Officials further said that around 30,000 identity cards that are already printed will be distributed in the first step. 

“30,000 identity cards have been printed and are ready to be distributed. The process will begin on Wednesday,”  said Yousuf Ahadi, who is in charge of information technology at the NSIA. 

Meanwhile, several residents told TOLOnews that people require ID cards for various purposes. A resident in Kabul, Shabir Ahmad, said he intends to travel abroad to get medical treatment for his family member. 

Shabir Ahmad said: “We seriously need ID cards. Everyone needs to take their patients abroad. Having ID cards is necessary for getting a passport.” 

“Before the reopening of the passport department, it was necessary that ID centers be opened. People have many problems that are related to the opening of the ID card center," said Husamudin, a resident.

Officials at the NSIA added that so far about 6 million Afghan citizens have received their eNIC cards and there are 104 centers in total for the distribution of ID cards in the country,  25 of which are based in Kabul.