— Committee shows displeasure over dual nationals at key posts including Chairman NADRA
ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan is facing increasing inflows of asylum seekers/illegal migrants from neighbouring Afghanistan after Taliban’s takeover of Kabul, the Public Account Committee (PAC) on Wednesday has asked Ministries of Interior and States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) to trace 1.4 million Afghans living in Pakistan within next one month.
During a meeting of PAC, which was chaired by its Chairman Noor Alam Khan on Wednesday, the officials of SAFRON were also asked to talk to UNO and UNHCR to establish refugee camps for the staying of Afghan refugees so that anti-state activities of Afghanis could be controlled.
It was informed that the illegal migrants are defaming the name of Pakistan across the globe. The Committee also issued directions to all concerned to stop illegal activities of Afghans. The Committee directed Secretary, Interior and Secretary SAFRON to trace 1.4 million Afghan Refugees within one month and report to the Committee.
It may be recalled here that Pakistani social media users recently called for sending Afghan nationals back to their country after a fight broke out between cricket fans belonging to the two countries following a crucial T20 match between them in the United Arab Emirates.
During the meeting the PAC also directed Chairman National Database Registration Authority (NADRA), Muhammad Tariq Malik to issue directions to concerned directors generals of the authority not to issue CNICs to Afghans. Secretary Interior and Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also asked to provide a list of 390 Afghans who had chanted slogans against Pakistan in the UAE after the cricket match.
Meanwhile, the PAC also expressed displeasure to know that 14 officers including Chairman NADRA are having dual nationality and working in the sensitive department like NADRA. The chairman said that DG (NADRA)-KP having dual nationality is appointed near Torkham Border and he should be removed therefrom and some Colonel or retired brigadier be appointed against this post. The Committee directed the Secretary, Interior to move a summary and make legislation that no government employee can attain dual nationality.
The committee, however, appreciated the quality software of NADRA being exported to other countries which is also a source of foreign exchange. On a query, Chairman NADRA replied that 34 employees having corruption charges have been terminated from service and inquiries are pending against other officers in NADRA. The Committee directed Chairman NADRA to provide a list of those who have been terminated from services from 2017 to 2022.
The meeting of PAC was held to examine Appropriation Accounts for the year 2018-19 and Audit Report for the year 2019-20 pertaining to SAFRON and Audit Report for the year 2019-20 pertaining to the Ministry of Interior.
