ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Monday that fencing along the Afghan border would be completed by August 14, while 46 to 48 per cent fencing on
the border with Iran had been completed.
Addressing a news conference here, he said there had been thousands of foreigners living in the country over the last many years without renewal of visa. He asked these foreigners to leave Pakistan before August 14 or get their visas renewed through online application, adding no fine would be imposed on those who apply for the renewal of visa. The minister said the cyber-crime wing of the Federal Investigation Agency would also be developed on modern lines to improve its performance and efficiency.
He further said a new policy of verification, renewal and correction was being introduced in National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) for the computerised national identity cards, he said, adding action had been taken against 39 Nadra officials in Karachi for their alleged involvement in issuance of fake identity cards. He said the same action would be initiated in other cities, including Lahore and Multan.
The minister said India and Israel had started a hybrid war against Pakistan, and wanted to put a question mark on Nadra data. Rashid said the new Nadra chairman had been directed to issue the new policy within 14 days.
The minister also asked the opposition parties to refrain from issuing irresponsible and non-parliamentary statements. He asked Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif to return to Pakistan and face corruption cases against him.
“Nawaz Sharif could cross any line just to propagate his own agenda as he is against Army, establishment and (Prime Minister) Imran Khan,” he added.While offering a chartered flight for bringing Sharif back to the country, Rashid urged him that rather than making speeches from abroad, he better come back to Pakistan and face court cases.
Regarding elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the minister said as per his prediction the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) could form a government without support of any other political party.
He said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) managed to get two to three more seats by spending huge funds. “The opposition parties will cry foul even in the next general elections,” he said while hoping for the formation of the PTI government in Sindh after general elections in 2023.
Talking about the murder of former diplomat’s daughter Noor Mukadam, the minister said the name of main accused Zahir Jaffer would be placed on the Exit Control List. “The names of the accused in the Noor Mukadam case would be presented in the cabinet this week for inclusion in the ECL,” he added.
