ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Interior Wednesday announced that 1,685 aliens have voluntarily returned Pakistani Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) as a result of on-going re-verification drive of CNICs.
Minister for Interior, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who was chairing a high-level security meeting was informed that 1549 Afghanis, 44 Bangladeshis, one Indian and an Indonesian had returned their Pakistani CNICs.
It was also conveyed by National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) that so far around 67.9 million CNICs have been verified and over 48,000 aliens were identified. The meeting was attended by Secretary Interior, Special Secretary Interior, Chairman NADRA and senior officers from Ministry of Interior. Ch. Nisar directed initiation of legal and disciplinary proceedings against officials of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) who had willfully included aliens in Authority’s database and also against those who illegally possessed fake CNICs.
A statement issued here said, Ch. Nisar observed there should be no slackness in on-going national security re-verification drive on part of any NADRA official since “This is a national security matter and zero tolerance policy should continue to be maintained till termination of re-verification drive.”
He appreciated response of citizens since 92,300 people had themselves called on NADRA helpline for identification of aliens and verification of their CNICs record.
The Minister also approved reward list of 45 citizens who helped NADRA in identification of aliens.
“These 45 devoted Pakistanis performed their national security duty and deserve due cash reward as per the policy,” remarked the Minister.
Besides the reward scheme, the Interior Ministry would also give a letter of appreciation to these citizens for helping the state for pointing out aliens in NADRA’s database.
Ch. Nisar also accorded approval in principle to 50 International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) to operate in Pakistan. Cases of 15 INGOs are under scrutiny by the INGOs Committee of Ministry of Interior and once they are cleared they would also be allowed to work in Pakistan.
He directed Ministry of Interior for formation of a policy for issuance of armed licenses in a phased manner.
“A policy should be framed for provision of armed licenses to judges of superior judiciary (including High Courts), media houses, educational institutions (in the backdrop of APS School and Bacha Khan University terrorist attacks), armed forces officials, members of parliament and provincial assemblies,” pointed out the Minister.
“The arms licenses policy should be strict, since limited arms licenses would be issued in a controlled and transparent manner,” Ch. Nisar said. —APP
