Protest aftermath: Nisar orders crackdown against offenders

CDA directed to redesign D-Chowk, make it more purposeful.

ISLAMABAD: After having ordered an immediate crackdown against proclaimed offenders and blocking their CNICs and passports, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday directed the Islamabad Capital Territory police to prepare a digital database of all offenders in coordination with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

He also called for the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and police to share their databases and prepare an integrated strategy to apprehend the criminals involved in the incident and produce them before a court.

Khan said this while chairing a high level meeting of police, FIA and ministry officials on Friday. Secretary interior, special secretary, secretary Capital Administration and Development Division, chairman Capital Development Authority, chairman NADRA, ICT chief commissioner, and others were also present at the meeting.

The interior minister said it has been decided that no public gathering of any kind will be allowed in D-Chowk in the future. He also directed the CDA to start dismantling the present structure at D-Chowk and redesign the entire area to be made more purposeful.

He said it was quite unfortunate that the Parade Lane was used for political purposes, which not only jeopardised the security of the entire Red Zone, including important buildings in the vicinity, but also created problems for citizens. He directed the CADD and interior ministries to formulate comprehensive proposals for Cabinet approval.

The minister underscored the critical role of the administration and police in maintenance of law and order. He said that any dereliction on part of administration in the performance of their core functions was unacceptable.

The minister also reviewed the progress into the arrests of NADRA employees who were involved in corruption and issuance of CNICs to foreigners. He directed the head of NADRA and FIA authorities to gear up efforts to purge the organisation from all corrupt elements.

The immigration and passports DG informed the minister that online passport renewal is ready to be launched. He said that the facility will initially be available to Pakistani expats.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd, 2016.