Qatar MOI Urges Early Reporting of Lost IDs

Doha, July 10 (QNA) - Ministry of Interior called for taking care of Qatari smart national ID and the swift reporting of its loss, noting that, thanks to modern technology, it has become more than a identification for its holder, the ministry said in a special report. Col. Abdullah Saad Al Buainain, Director of Nationality and Travel Documents department, pointed to the importance of keeping the ID in a safe place while traveling, and not losing it. He urged ID holders to only give a copy of it to hotels or other locations where it is needed, and to report its loss as soon as possible. He added that some people underestimate the seriousness of losing the ID as it might get into the wrong hands, which have bad effects on its owner physically and morally and jeopardizes their security. In the event of losing the national ID within Qatar, the official said, the incident must be reported to the Nationality and Travel Documents department and the holder gets a replacement, while the department takes the necessary measures. If the ID holder lost it abroad, he must report the incident to the nearest police station, Al Buainain said. He added that reporting similar incidents to Qatari embassies should be done only if the ID was used to enter that country, which is the case when entering GCC states. Asked about the practice of mortgaging national IDs, the Nationality and Travel Documents director said that it is illegal and whoever gets involved in the process is subject to legal accountability. Al Buainain urged ID holders to return old IDs in case they are found after the issuing of a replacement, adding that it is against the law for the same person to seize two IDs. (QNA)