Interior Minister Chairs Meeting on Law and Order, Security

Islamabad, February 03, 2014 (PPI-OT): Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has asked the police and security agencies to gear up their resources and efforts to identify and weed out potential criminals and trouble makers in Rawalpindi-Islamabad and the suburban area.

The Minister said this while chairing a meeting on law and order and security issues which was attended by heads of departments attached with the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control as well as district and police administrations of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, here this afternoon. Minister of State, Mr. Muhammad Balighur Rahman and Parliamentary Secretary, Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb were also present during the meeting.

The Minister said the target of this exercise should not only be potential criminals and militants and sleeper cells of militants but also individuals in the control and payroll of international agencies who are based here without due protocol or permission.

He said that Rawalpindi and Islamabad police supported by the Rangers should carry out a massive search operation on war footing to flush out criminals and other similar elements in an around the twin cities.

The Minister formed a committee under Additional Secretary, Mr. Hamid Ali Khan for the registration of foreigners living in Islamabad and adjoining areas.

He asked RPO Rawalpindi to withdraw the vehicles and staff allocated to unauthorized people including retired and un-entitled officials. He said we need men on the ground to improve security situation in the city rather than doing protocol and personal duties with officials.

The Minister directed the Rawalpindi police to make all SHOs accountable for the happenings taking place within their areas of jurisdiction.

IG Islamabad and RPO Rawalpindi updated the Minister on the review of security plan for twin cities and said that joint wireless control, joint patrolling and joint action against unregistered abadis have been started while work is under way in streamlining the systems of prompt exchange of information and Rapid deployment force.

RPO Rawalpindi informed the Minister that during the last one and a half months 153 search operations have been carried out in which 630 people were held including foreign nationals who are being proceeded against under the Foreigners Act. He said that 74 people have so far been arrested in connection with the Raja Bazaar incident while 53 are under arrest in connection with seven attacks on various Imam Bargahs.

The Minister noted with satisfaction that reconstruction work on the mosque would be started on 16th February. The Minister asked DCO Rawalpindi to ensure removal of encroachments from the roads and recall any staff of the municipal committee working at the residences of officials.

He asked the Islamabad and Rawalpindi administrations to focus on anti-dengue campaign, tree plantation drive, cleanliness and traffic situation. The Minister said that development initiatives should be undertaken by the administrations of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to give the twin cities a better look.

Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan asked for greater coordination between the Rawalpindi and Islamabad administrations to keep a check on land grabber mafias. He directed CDA to ensure uplift of parks in Islamabad particularly those in the less developed areas.

The Minister directed Chief Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner Islamabad to immediately transfer the revenue officials serving at the same place for decades. He also asked for computerization of land record on fast-track basis.

Commissioner Rawalpindi gave a comprehensive presentation on the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus project which would start from Saddar and go from Murree Road, IJ Principal Road to 9th Avenue and Jinnah Avenue finally terminating at the Pakistan Secretariat. He said the project would be completed within ten months.

He said the metro bus route of 8.6 km in Rawalpindi would be elevated while the 14.6 km route in Islamabad would be along the existing road. 60 metro buses would ply on this route, he said. The Minister said that work may be started simultaneously in Rawalpindi and Islamabad to ensure completion within the stipulated timeframe.

Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that NADRA is a national asset and directed the acting Chairman to ensure that there should be no compromise on honesty and security and no foreigner should be allowed to enter the premises of NADRA or interact with NADRA employees without proper prior authorization.

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