Nisar says fourth schedulers can’t be denied CNICs

Pledges to address grievances of religious political groups included in Difa-e-Pakistan Council

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said all those enlisted in the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act are Pakistani nationals, who cannot be denied their right to identification and the computerized national identity card (CNIC).

Nisar expressed these views on Friday during a meeting with a delegation of Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC), an umbrella of religious political parties at Punjab House.

The basic objective of the meeting was to discuss several issues being faced by the religious groups in the country. Nisar’s meeting with the DPC’s delegation, led by Maulana Samiul Haq, continued over two hours and issues related to the suspension of the Fourth Scheduler’s CNIC was also discussed.

During the meeting, Haq said the religious parties are on the front to protect the country’s sovereignty but unfortunately, the groups are being sidelined through a ‘planned conspiracy’. The religious leaders requested the minister to play his positive role in this regard.

The interior minister said religious forces had played a pivotal role for improvement of security situation across Pakistan and that the government will not allow targeting religious scholars and leaders.

He said the provinces would be asked to review Fourth Schedulers List as he directed the concerned departments to take necessary action to address the DPC’s concerns. “The reservations and issues raised by the religious leaders will be addressed in consultation with provincial governments,” he said.

Talking to the delegation, Nisar said religion is the strength, honour and pride of Pakistan and no power can separate religion from the country. “Pakistan was created on the basis of Islamic ideology and would continue to adhere to this ideology,” he was quoted as saying by Interior Ministry spokesperson.

AWSJ to approach SC against CNIC blocking

Meanwhile, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) chief Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi has decided to approach the Supreme Court after his CNIC and bank account was blocked last week, due to his being a Fourth Scheduler.

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) blocked CNICs of over 2,000 people. Later, the State Bank of Pakistan also instructed to block bank accounts of those who were placed on Fourth Schedule.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Ludhianvi said last week his CNIC was blocked after he was placed on Fourth Schedule.  “I consulted with my legal team and in next couple of days I will file an application in the Supreme Court.  This is absolutely an illegal decision. How the authorities can block the CNIC of any citizen?” he said.

The Fourth Schedule consists of elements found to be or suspected to be involved in anti-state activities, delivering hate speeches or activists of religious groups not yet proscribed but who are somehow related to militancy.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd, 2016.