Islamabad: Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has stated that the government is prepared to engage in a comprehensive parliamentary debate on terrorism, law and order, and the implementation of the National Action Plan in the National Assembly.
According to Radio Pakistan, Chaudhry responded to points of order raised by lawmakers, emphasizing the government's readiness to discuss all fourteen points of the National Action Plan without engaging in blame games or political point-scoring. He highlighted that the plan is a consensus document involving both federal and provincial governments, with each province playing a crucial role in its implementation.
Chaudhry urged Parliament to deliberate on the contributions and responsibilities of each province and region under the plan. He expressed regret over the opposition's absence from various security-related meetings, including in-camera briefings and meetings chaired by the Speaker.
The Minister of State underscored that while security forces are diligently performing their duties in the fight against terrorism, political forces must also unite behind them with a common narrative. He asserted that the war against terrorism requires a united political front.
Addressing concerns about identity cards, Chaudhry assured that no one's identity card is suspended or blocked merely based on their province of origin. The government is conducting a nationwide campaign to cleanse official records of illegally obtained identity documents and foreign nationals.
Chaudhry revealed that Afghan nationals had acquired Pakistani identity cards, sometimes being included in family trees through various means. Legal action has been taken against officials involved in such irregularities, with several facing criminal cases and dismissals from service.
Regarding Pakistani passports illegally obtained by Afghan nationals, Chaudhry disclosed that approximately five thousand such passports had been surrendered in Saudi Arabia alone. He emphasized the importance of ensuring the accuracy of official records, as foreign nationals with Pakistani documents involved in crimes could impact Pakistan and its visa regime.
Chaudhry also refuted allegations that passports of individuals from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are being deliberately withheld. He expressed his willingness to examine individual cases and provide assistance if anyone faces difficulties obtaining a passport due to their provincial or regional identity.
The Minister outlined reforms in the passport system, including improved security features, online applications, and appointments. He noted that the backlog in passport issuance, which was around six months when the government took office, has been significantly reduced, and efforts with NADRA are underway to provide passport facilities at its centers.
Chaudhry further reported that the Federal Investigation Agency had arrested over one hundred agents in the past month for allegedly charging citizens for passport-related services outside passport offices. Criminal cases have been registered against officials involved in such practices.
He assured that strict action would be taken against any official found harassing citizens or obstructing the passport issuance process. The National Assembly is set to reconvene tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.