Greater vigilance: ‘Stringent screening of foreigners on the cards’

Government finalising a new strategy to prevent cross-border movement of individuals with dubious track record.

ISLAMABAD: The government is finalising a new strategy to prevent cross-border movement of individuals with dubious track record, said Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Wednesday, amid reports that scores of ‘undercover’ American intelligence agents might be operating in Pakistan.

He informed the National Assembly that the government would screen foreigners wishing to travel to Pakistan to ensure that people with ‘suspected links’ do not sneak in.

While not specifying a timeframe, Malik said the strategy would be implemented soon.

Under the new rules, the provincial home departments would also keep a check on foreign scholarships offered to Pakistani students, Malik said.

Meanwhile intelligence agencies would monitor visits of Pakistani artists to other countries and particulars of representatives of foreign companies and non-governmental organisations operating here, he added.

An upgraded visa form seeking additional information would be launched, Malik said, adding visa applicants would have to submit detailed particulars, as required by developed countries.

It would be mandatory for all foreign companies operating in Pakistan to submit an affidavit containing details of their employees and activities, he added.

Malik also informed the house that authorities are en­sur­ing the release of four Pakistanis onboard an Egyptian vessel kidnapped by Somali pirates. There hasn’t been any headway so far, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2011.