Retrieval of Pakistani identity cards from possession of terrorists damaged country on different levels
ISLAMABAD: Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Interior Minister has admitted on Friday that National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) is faced with issues.
He addressed a press conference in the federal capital today.
Nisar said that retrieval of Pakistani identity cards from possession of terrorists damaged the country on different levels. He admitted that National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has issues however, the government is bringing reforms and introducing solutions with the passage of time.
He said that verification process of National Identity Cards (NIC) was branded ‘impossible’ by the naysayers however, the government has proved them wrong. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said that the issue of fake Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) and passports is of national security and credibility of the country and solid steps have been taken by the government to deal with it.
Addressing a press conference here on Friday, he said that an 18-member parliamentary committee will look into the issue and NADRA will report the committee every month.
Chaudhry Nisar said that though we are passing through an era of uncertainty but the situation has improved due to the steps taken by the government regarding elimination of terrorism and extremism.
He alleged that the previous government did nothing for national security but now an apparent improvement could be witnessed after the sitting government took over the affairs of the country.
The Interior Minister said that thousands of fake CNICs were issued to foreigners and criminal-minded people. It was a risky trend that foreigners got Pakistan CNICs and whenever an attack or illegal activity took place Pakistani card was recovered which defamed the country across the globe, he deplored.
He said that the illegal cards holders also acquired passports and mobile phone SIMs on their fake cards which were used in unlawful activities besides human trafficking.
However, the Interior Minister said that under his command the Interior Ministry initiated action against the illegal CNICs, passports and SIMs. The Ministry cancelled 323,513 fake CNICs, over 32,500 illegally acquired passports, more than 95,000,000 SIMs since it took over the charge, he added.
He said that only 519 CNICs were cancelled during the era of previous government and no heed was paid towards the issue despite it was the matter of national security and reputation of the country. He said that Mullah Akhtar Mansoor acquired CNIC in 2005.
He said hundreds of NADRA employees found involved in illegal practice of issuing CNIC with fulfilling legal procedure have been either removed from their positions or sent to jail for their misdeeds and negligence towards the assigned duty.
He said that it was matter of grave concern that it had become difficult to follow thorough fare in the country but on other hand illegal activities can be done without any hurdle but this trend will not let to prevail anymore.
The Interior Minister said that a procedure for restoration of the blocked CNICs for legal Pakistani citizens has also been introduced. One can get his card restored by providing documents of land record prior to 1975 verified by revenue department, verified passport issued before 1975, academic documents, certificates issued by any authorized private or government academic institution, verified domicile, he maintained.
Responding to a question, Chaudhry Nisar said for political point scoring, fake photos were issued on social media which was no more but a conspiracy against the state institutions and defaming them.
To another question, the Interior Minister ruled out any role of the government in appointment of the new Chief Justice. He said, “Government hasn’t any role in appointing Justice Saqib Nisar as Chief Justice and rumours in this connection were baseless.”
