Musharraf's name to remain on ECL till court orders otherwise: Chaudhry Nisar

Interior Affairs directs FIA to expedite investigations into Musharraf's treason case.

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Affairs Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Saturday that the Federal Investigation Agency had been directed to accelerate investigations into the Musharraf treason case and four mega financial scams in government institutions.

He was briefing reporters here after chairing a meeting, which was attended by officials of interior ministry and its attached departments.

He said the FIA was given 42 days to complete the probe into corruption cases at Employees Old Age Benefit Institution (EOBI), Trading Corporation of Pakistan, Islamabad's new airport, and Pakistan State Oil.

The minister said the FIA had also been directed to accelerate investigation into the treason case against former president general (retd) Pervez Musharraf and present the report at soon as possible.

He clarified that Musharraf's name was on Exit Control List and it would not be removed till the court's decision.

Nisar also said that he did not support the measure of blocking social media websites or applications.

The minister was further quoted as saying that absconders abroad would also be brought back with Interpol's assistance, and all cases decided on merit irrespective of political affiliations.

He said the government wanted to ensure a fair and transparent system in every public organisation.

An 'Awareness and Protection System' would be launched in collaboration with FIA and National Accountability Bureau in order to check corruption in government organisations.

Passport irregularities

Nisar said some irregularities had been traced out in the Passport and Immigration Department, which led to the decision of cancelling more than 2,000 illegal diplomatic passports. He added that those government officials who had retired, were still using such passports.

The interior minister said that the system to issue passport had been made more transparent and the applicants could get information about the status by SMS (short message service).

The minister said that a normal passport would be issued within 10 days and an urgent one in four days.

Improving the police

Nisar said there had been reports of a few policemen having links with criminals, car lifters and even terrorists. Therefore, the chief commissioner and inspector general of police, Islamabad had been directed to immediately oust them.

He said a Rapid Response Force equipped with the necessary gadgets and weapons had been established in Islamabad Police.

The minister said that residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi would not have to pay toll tax after January 1, 2014. An e-tag (electronic-tag) system would be introduced for those coming from other cities to facilitate their entry.

Police pickets were also being computerised for effective checking.

Clamping on illegal SIMs

Nisar said that the secretary interior would hold meetings with heads of all cellular companies to implement an effective system for blocking the illegal SIMs used by terrorists and criminals, within two weeks.

The minister directed Islamabad Traffic Police not to close roads during VVIP convoys' movement for more than ten minutes.

He said the Capital Development Authority had been directed to open facilitation centers for addressing the complaints of citizens and to maintain public parks properly.

Nisar said that a computerized system was being introduced at all police stations and Revenue Offices for maintaining proper record.

Lastly, the minister said that law and order situation in Karachi was improving but a lot was yet to be done for restoring peace in the mega city.