ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Tuesday chaired a high level meeting to discuss matters pertaining to deportees agreement between Pakistan and European Union (EU).
The meeting discussed disparities in the agreement, irregularities in its implementation, standard operating procedure (SOP) with regard to deportees and measures against human trafficking.
Representatives of the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Chairman National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) attended the meeting.
Interior Minister Nisar remarked that although there was improvement in FIA’s performance against human smugglers during last one-and-a-half-years, but it was insufficient.
“FIA should opt for modern techniques instead of traditional modes of operation,” he said and directed the agency for launching immediate crackdown against human smugglers in the country and abroad.
Nisar directed the Director General Passport, Chairman NADRA and FIA to cancel passports, block national identity cards and freeze accounts of 300 human smugglers and their agents identified so far.
He said the smugglers, who managed to go abroad, should be arrested through Interpol after getting their red warrants.
FIA, he said, must submit a report on weekly-basis about its measures taken to prevent human trafficking and operations conducted against the elements involved in this crime.
He directed FIA to initiate proceeding against Altaf Khanani after getting evidences from the US authorities, besides taking up the matter of Khanani and others’ acquittal in the ‘Khanani-Kalia’ 2008-case in courts.
The minister asked for looking into the causes behind an ordinate delay of this case.
He directed the FIA authorities to implement ‘5Ps’ Prevention, Protection of victims, Prosecution of criminals, Pursuing proclaimed offenders and absconders and forging local as well as international Partnerships.
Commenting on the deportees issue, he said disparities in the agreement with EU and irregularities in its implementation caused suspension of the agreement.
“In future, no deportees will be issued temporary traveling documents without clear permission by the Ministry of Interior,” he added.
Besides, heavy fine would be imposed on the airlines that would bring any deportees to Pakistan without travelling documents and permission by the Interior Ministry, he said.
Nisar said deporting any Pakistani by levelling allegations of terrorism without evidence, was the violation of human rights.
He asked for issuing directives to Pakistani missions abroad to take all out care of nationals with the help of the locals.
In the prevailing difficult times, the minister said, there was not only need to encourage expatriate Pakistanis but also support them at every stage.
“Aim behind these efforts is not to protect any convict, but to help innocents. If there is intention to deport any Pakistani by leveling allegations of terrorism, its evidences must be handed over to Pakistan,” he observed.
Source: APP
