Interior minister, secretary’s absence irks MPs panel

ISLAMABAD: The Standing Committee of National Assembly on Interior on Tuesday approved The Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2024.

A meeting of the committee was held here at the Parliament House with Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz in the chair. The panel members expressed annoyance over the absence of the interior minister and secretary. They criticised Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for what they perceived as his reluctance to attend the committee sessions, suggesting that he views attending these meetings as ‘disrespectful’.

The committee members declared that if the interior minister and secretary could not be present, they would leave. Agha Rafiullah commented that Naqvi was not under the control of the government, noting that he was also missing from a cabinet meeting. Hanif Abbasi suggested that the meeting should be adjourned in the minister’s absence, stressing that no one among them had time to waste.

The meeting deferred the review on ‘The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2024 (Section 462O), Government Bill’ till next meeting. The committee also deferred the government bill ‘The Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2024’ till the next meeting.

The forum decided to refer ‘The Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Bill 2024’ moved by MNA Sehar Kamran to the Council of Islamic Ideology for expert opinion.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) chairman briefed the committee on the ongoing projects, including the construction of Islamabad Expressway from the PWD Underpass to GT Road, Bhindhar Bridge, Japan Road Underpass and Saon Bridge.

He also discussed the construction of Islamabad Expressway from Korang to the PWD interchanges, including railway bridges, and rehabilitation and widening of Park Road from Tramri Chowk to Rawal Chowk.

Additionally, he provided updates on the 10th Avenue (Phase-I) project, construction of Khayaban-e-Margalla from GT Road to Sector D-12, and construction of Bhara Kahu Bypass, as well as the widening and improvement of roundabouts. The chairman also raised the issue of a shortage of funds for these ongoing projects.

The committee expressed its desire to visit all development projects to evaluate the progress of work. It directed to submit detailed information on the charges collected from private societies on account of accessing express highways, as well as details of private societies from whom charges have not yet been collected.

The panel pointed out that rules & regulations relating to zones, building bylaws, etc, have become outdated with the passage of time, directing the CDA to work on it and present before the committee. The forum also desired a detailed report from CDA on the land allocated by private societies for graveyards, parks, etc.

The CDA chairman briefed the committee on the development project focused on rainwater harvesting in rural areas of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). The project involves the construction of dams for rainwater collection to increase the area under cultivation, with a total cost of Rs115.296 million.

The committee decided to hold a meeting on Charah Dam with the CDA along with department concerned from the Punjab government to assess the progress.

The FIA director general briefly updated the committee on a complaint against Mushtaq Sarki, a blogger. The FIA additional director general provided a detailed account of the actions taken by the agency. The panel chairman directed the FIA to take serious action against the misuse of social media. The committee also asked the FIA to suggest amendments or legislation to strengthen the implementation of law and curb cybercrimes.

During the meeting, the issue of relocating a police check post from Gulshan-e-Sikanderabad in Karachi to the District Keamari area was also discussed. PPP MNA Abdul Qadir Patel informed the committee that the Gulshan-e-Sikanderabad area in District Keamari was a major hub for drug distribution in Karachi, with ice and other drugs being openly sold. He highlighted that this area had become a hotspot for criminal elements, and for three years, the Sindh Police had failed to relocate a checkpoint to address the situation.

Committee member Agha Rafiullah added that the cost of land in this area was extremely high, and no police station acknowledged jurisdiction over it. He claimed that criminal networks operated from there, collecting billions of rupees each month.

In response, the additional secretary of interior informed the committee that they had written to the IG Sindh regarding the matter.

The representative from the Home Department, Government of Sindh, briefed the committee on the merger of the police check-post (Sindh Police) in Gulshan Sikanderabad into the jurisdiction of District Keamari, Karachi. The committee recommended that the Sindh Home Department take necessary action to resolve the issue and report back in the next meeting.

During the meeting, Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Hamid Raza raised the issue of blockade of his passport. He said their names were listed on ECL though there was an order of the Islamabad High Court to remove the names of MNAs from PNIL and ECL and for issuance of passports.

The Immigration and Passport director replied that they got the court order regarding Fawad Chaudhry, so his passport was issued. Hamid Raza asked when his passport would be issued.

The official responded that if they bring the court order, it would be issued.

The SIC chairman said that no one can be put on the PNIL for more than two months but the officer concerned kept his name on the list for one year, asking if any action was taken on it.

The Immigration and Passport director replied that this matter was related to the FIA.