Afghan president launches new id cards amid row over ethnicity

The Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani, has launched a new national identity card system, which has sparked controversy over the inclusion of ethnicity on the cards.

The new ID cards, which were launched on Monday, include a section for ethnicity, which has raised concerns among some Afghans that it could be used to discriminate against certain groups.

Ghani has defended the inclusion of ethnicity on the cards, saying it is necessary to ensure that the government can better understand the demographics of the country and provide targeted services to different communities.

However, some Afghans have expressed concerns that the inclusion of ethnicity on the cards could be used to discriminate against certain groups, such as the Hazara minority, who have faced persecution in the past.

The Hazara community, who are predominantly Shia Muslims, have been targeted by extremist groups in the past, and some have expressed concerns that the inclusion of ethnicity on the cards could make them more vulnerable to discrimination.

Ghani has denied that the inclusion of ethnicity on the cards is intended to discriminate against any group, and has said that the government is committed to protecting the rights of all Afghans, regardless of their ethnicity.

The launch of the new ID cards comes as Afghanistan is facing a number of challenges, including a Taliban insurgency and a growing humanitarian crisis. The government has been working to improve the country's infrastructure and provide services to its citizens, and the new ID cards are seen as an important step in this process.

However, the controversy over the inclusion of ethnicity on the cards has raised concerns about the potential for discrimination and has highlighted the need for greater dialogue and understanding between different communities in Afghanistan.

In a statement, the Afghan government said that the new ID cards are designed to provide a secure and reliable way for citizens to prove their identity, and that the inclusion of ethnicity is intended to help the government better understand the demographics of the country and provide targeted services to different communities.

The government also said that the ID cards will include a number of other fields, including name, date of birth, and place of residence, and that they will be issued to all Afghan citizens who are 16 years of age or older.

The launch of the new ID cards has been welcomed by some Afghans, who see it as an important step towards improving the country's infrastructure and providing services to its citizens. However, the controversy over the inclusion of ethnicity on the cards has raised concerns about the potential for discrimination and has highlighted the need for greater dialogue and understanding between different communities in Afghanistan.