Staff Reporter Islamabad
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Monday said that his ministry, on the advice of the foreign ministry and the armed forces, was keeping a ‘keen eye’ on the situation in war-torn Afghanistan.
While addressing the media in Islamabad, the minister hoped that the situation in Afghanistan would not a repeat of the past and said that the “Pakistan armed forces and its institutions were ever ready to execute their national obligation”.
He also said that border fencing with Iran would be completed in a period of year. Rashid said that the interior ministry had requested the finance ministry to open at least 509 jobs in the FIA, to ensure that necessary personnel can be deployed at the border crossings with Afghanistan and prepare them accordingly amid the sensitive situation in the region.
“Enforcement agencies are on duty at the entry points of Chaman and Torkham borders, the FIA will ensure a system of electronic entry at the crossings July 30,” he said.
Talking about Lahore Johar Town terrorist attack, the minister said that Punjab Police had worked brilliantly during the investigation and the interior ministry’s suspicion was confirmed regarding the involvement of the Indian intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
“Another group is also under custody. Institutions would decide when to announce the details because the courts get involved as well.
India has not accepted us. Its agencies are not abstaining from carrying out activities in Pakistan,” he said.
Rashid added that the National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) chairman had been directed to ‘get rid’ of corrupt personnel in the authority.
“At least 30 people from NADRA office in Karachi were found involved in issuing counterfeit ID cards.
About 19 of the officials had been suspended whereas a JIT would also be formed if required,” the minister added.
Talking about Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Uzbekistan this month, the minister said that the interior minister would sign two MoUs with Tashkent, one of which would be for granting a five to seven-day visa at the border before entry and the other one would be for granting free visa entry on diplomatic passports.
The minister also said that a decision on Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) would be taken in the next cabinet meeting
