ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has asserted that fencing along the Afghan border would be completed by August 14, saying that 46 to 48 percent fencing on the border with Iran had been completed.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad today (Monday), the minister said that there have been thousands of foreigners living in the country over the last many years without renewal of visas.
He asked these foreigners to leave Pakistan before August 14 or get their visas renewed, adding that no fine would be imposed on those who apply for the renewal of visas.
The minister said the cyber-crime wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) would also be developed on modern lines to improve its performance and efficiency.
“A new policy of verification, renewal and correction was being introduced in NADRA for the computerized national identity cards”, he said adding that action had been taken against 39 NADRA officials in Karachi for their alleged involvement in the issuance of fake identity cards.
“India and Israel have started a hybrid war against Pakistan, and wanted to put a question mark on the data of NADRA,” he said, while directing the new Chairman NADRA to issue the new policy within 14 days.
Sheikh Rashid also asked the opposition parties to refrain from issuing irresponsible and non-parliamentary statements. He asked 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 was against army, establishment and Imran Khan,” Rashid said, urging him rather than making speeches from abroad, he better come back to Pakistan and face court cases.
Regarding elections in Azad Kashmir, the minister said as he predicted earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) could form government without support of any other political party.
“The opposition parties would cry foul even in next general elections”, he said hoping for the formation of PTI government in Sindh after general elections in 2023.
Talking about the murder of a former Pakistani diplomat’s 27-year-old daughter Noor Mukadam, he said the name of Zahir Jaffer, the main accused would be placed on the Exit Control List.
His name has already been added to the Provincial National Identification List (PNIL), the interior minister said, confirming that the father of the accused and his employees have been arrested.