[wp_ad_camp_1]Senate panel directs Ministry of Interior to furnish details on construction of firing range in American Embassy
By Chronicler
Islamabad
Senator A Rehman Malik, the Chairman of Senate Standing Committee on Interior informed the Senate’s panel on Wednesday that he has taken a serious notice on the media reports regarding construction of a Firing Range in the premises of US Embassy, Islamabad, for which a tender had also been floated in the press, stated a press release issued by Media Coordinator of Rehman Malik.
He said that he has already asked for the SOS views of the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad on the issue. He said that the Chief Commission Islamabad has verbally told him that there is no such formal agreement with the ICT to allow US Embassy for construction of a firing range in the compound of US Embassy based in Islamabad, further stated the press release.
Moreover, he said that the media report regarding construction of firing rage has created a serious controversy which needs to be clarified in the greater national interest. He directed the Ministry of Interior to brief the committee in the next meeting of the committee in detail. He said that no country shall be allowed to violate the laws of our land, the press release said.
Senate panel condemns terrorists’ attacks: Senate Standing Committee on Interior strongly condemned the two separate terrorist attacks in Hazarganji, and Ormara areas of Balochistan and offered Fateha for the departed souls of martyrs. The committee extended heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families of the martyrs of both incidents. The committee also observed one minute silence in memory of victims who lost their lives in bomb attacks in Sri Lanka.
According to the press release the meeting was held under the chairmanship of Senator Malik in Islamabad at the Parliament House and was attended among others by Senators Muhammad Javed Abbasi, Dr Shahzad Wasim, Mian M Ateeq Shaikh and others.
Malik said our hearts and soul are with the victim families of Balochistan blasts and we share their pains and sorrows. He said that behind terrorist activities in Balochistan, the involvement of our inimical countries cannot be ignored as such blasts are aimed at inciting sectarian clashes in the country to destabilize Pakistan.
However enemies will not succeed in their nefarious designs to destabilize Pakistan and divide our nation, reiterated Rehman Malik.
He said that the Shia Hazara community of Balochistan is being targeted continuously since long and it is time to bring an end to their persecution by taking fierce actions against terrorists and banned outfits across the country. The Committee sought detail report from Ministry of Interior over the both incidents and directed that the Committee will soon hold a detailed briefing from the Ministry over National Action Plan (NAP) and its implementation.
Malik further said that the Government should take precautionary security measures, especially when the Prime Minister plans to visit China as usually, there are always some terrorist attacks before such visits to sabotage the results.
He also directed the Ministry of Interior to inform the committee about the presence of Daish in the country as the government must not remain in the denial mode. He said he has been claimed the presence of Daish in Pakistan three years back. He said stern action should be taken against presence of Daish in the country before it spread like a monster across the country.
Briefing by DG Immigration & Passport: The DG Immigration and Passports briefed the committee in detail on the organizational structure and working of the Organization. He briefed that the major functions and mandate of the department include issuance of passports, extension of visas to students, businessmen and tourists and also the issuance of Pakistan citizenship certificates, Renunciation certificates and Naturalization Certificates. He said that the Directorate also performs the function of blacklisting i.e. placing in Category B and also the Foreign Control List (Blacklist). He briefed that 173 local and regional passport offices across Pakistan were established under Machine Readable Passport Project (MRPP). He informed that under Phase-I and Phase-II of Machine Readable Passport Project (MRPP), 93 International offices are established and in Baghdad is yet to be deployed. The DG Immigration and Passport requested the Committee for its immediate attention towards the serious administrative and financial problems. He said the Directorate is presently facing issues related to recruitment of staff, posting in Foreign Missions as the Directorate needs policy for pay and allowances, single page data printing in MRP and most importantly the budget allocation. He said the Directorate is facing lack of funds as even two main regional offices one in Bannu and other one in Haripur are under construction since many years.
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