Interior Minister expresses 'deep concern' over abduction of Chinese nationals

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Monday expressed deep concern over the unfortunate incident of abduction of two Chinese nationals from Quetta. 

Chairing a high-level meeting, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan directed the interior ministry to review, regulate and streamline the process of issuance of visas to Chinese nationals after the unfortunate incident.

The meeting was attended among others by Secretary Interior, Advocate General, DG IMPASS, Deputy Chairman NADRA and senior officers.

Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan observed, that there is a need to review the process of issuance of visas to the Chinese nationals coming to Pakistan for various projects and simultaneously to maintain a databank of the Chinese nationals present in various parts of the country. 

This databank which is to be prepared by NADRA, should be shared with all security agencies, ordered the minister.

The minister further observed that there is a need to regulate the process of granting visa extensions so as to ensure that the facility is not misused.

Taking serious note of laxity often shown by the Pakistani missions abroad during grant of visas especially the business visas, the minister directed that all Pakistani Missions are bound to undertake proper scrutiny of visa application forms and must get all necessary details before exercising their power of issuance of visas to the foreign nationals.

Chaudhry Nisar directed that the the Ministry of Froeign Affairs (MOFA) should be taken onboard and their input be included while formulating new visa policy guidelines for issuance of visas to the foreigners on various visa categories.

On the security of Chinese nationals present inside the country, the Minister observed that ensuring the security of foreign nationals is a shared responsibility. 

While the government makes every effort to provide security to foreigners, the visiting foreign nationals are equally bound to abide by the terms and conditions of their visas and inform local authorities about their movements and activities keeping in view the security requirements, if any, the minister observed. 

The Meeting also reviewed the progress in the registration of INGOs under the new policy framework devised by the Ministry of Interior.

It was informed that so far 66 INGOs have been formally registered with Interior Ministry.

The Minister directed Interior Ministry to expedite process of obtaining required information from the INGOs who were yet to furnish complete information so that decision could be taken about their registration with the Interior Ministry.

The Minister directed that the process of granting formal registration to INGOs should be completed by end of July.