Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain. PHOTO: PID
The interior ministry has advised Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, who wants to apply for a Pakistani identity card and passport, to follow the set procedure, which is to physically go to the High Commission and submit his documents and biometrics there.
“Pakistan has a transparent and legal procedure in place for the issuance of identification cards and passports for every Pakistan’s national,” says a statement issued by the interior ministry spokesperson on Monday. He said Altaf has not submitted his National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) and passport application properly.
However, a National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) official, on the condition of anonymity, said that Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK Wajid Shamsul Hassan granted permission to photograph and collect the required documents from Altaf via NADRA’s mobile services. These services are provided to people who cannot reach the High Commission or NADRA offices for a reason.
Separately, Altaf Hussain, in a statement issued from London, said he was sad and disappointed by the interior ministry’s remarks. “I need to convey to the federal government and the interior ministry’s higher authorities that I handed over my application to NADRA officials in front of Pakistan High Commissioner to Britain Wajid Shamsul Hassan and other members of the MQM Coordinating Committee,” he insisted. He said NADRA officials also issued a token, which had a tracking ID#503601007637.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th, 2014.
COMMENTS (24)
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Pakistan can issue NIC, Passports to Afghans who fled Afghanistan, let live Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan, allow all foreign millitants to shelter in Pakistan, have Nawaz Shareef serve Saudis for 5 years then return to Pakistan, let Bilawal Bhutto nurture in England, let Imran Khan keep half face in London with ex wife and kids, half face in Pakistan wearing shalwar kameez, Whats the problem with Altaf Hussain , he is not son of soil.
if Altaf comes, PTI and its political market will be closed since many PTI genuine workers fed off PTI and its status quo politics will join MQM, and thats why here we can see so many negative comments, its amazing to see those people who said that Altaf should come to pakistan and why a british national is running a party in Pakistan, are now saying why is altaf coming back after 20 years, he is running away from scotlant yard investigation and blah blah blah its a slap on their faces
Nawaz Sharif ,stop Punjabi chauvinism .
Announcing the "would be" strike of One Year is the start of following the procedure by MQM
The three most important questions rise here 1-If Altaf Hussain is living UK without any Pakistani Identity card and passport then how and why? 2-Application form is issued after completion of all the legal procedures then how and why without completion of all the legal documents Pakistan's NARDA's and passport's official in UK issued application form and tracking ID to Altaf Hussain? 3-In the last why Pakistan's NADRA's and passport's officials in UK till now didn't show/mention any objections/reasons of cancelling Altaf Hussain's NICOP's and passport's applications????
Why he is making this fuss of getting Pakistani Passport. He can travel on his British passport. He will have to get clearance from Sctland yard
govt.must issue the passport already requirement fill fulled..http://www.dawn.com/news/1106044/records-of-mqm-chiefs-nic-application-available-shamsul-hasan..
@Mohajirs:
Buddy I also belong to an Urdu Speaking background and currently my family reside in a Toronto suburb. We never had issues while renewing our Pakistani passport. The Pakistani consulate here doesn't care about your ethnicity. Perhaps you have never been out of Pakistan yourself and look at the whole world via goggles crafted by MQM propagandas. Plus it's not 1980s or 90s anymore when any action offending Altaf was viewed as hurting Muhajirs/ Urdu Speakings, there are tonnes of Urdu Speakings like me who don't consider Altaf our representative or loved one
And this ladies and gentlemen...is how we distract you from remembering the citywide siege, loot and plunder of May 12 2007
@Wonderer, you need visa on British passport to enter pakistan unless you have NICOP.
@Wonderer: British passport may not work if he is under arrest warrant so he is taking extra precuations just in case.
Jus wondering, why does he need a Pakistani passport? He already has a British Passport and that will work very well if he just wants to enter Pakistan.
Sadly, an official lost his job for doing what he was told to do in all politics. If people are allowed to send passport application by mail in most countries abroad then why Interior minister wants AH to come to embassy.
shameless person
when afghanis can be issued CNIC cards & Pakistani Passports for a few thousand Rs in bribes, why cannot the same be done for Mr Altaf Hussain who is a born Pakistani,
Interior Ministry/Pakistan High Commission/NADRA should and must facilitate Altaf Hussain in getting his ID Card and Passport.
Dear Government Please issue Mr. Altaf Hussain his Passport and Cnic. He represents a major political party of Pakistan. Do not create situation out of nothing.
Altaf, Your old NIC will do if you are longing to come to Pakistan. I hope you didn't forget to renew it on time as you always talk like you are a law abiding and responsible citizen. and let me tell you, for a Pakistani, just NIC card will work but you have an advantage being a dual citizen. Since you hold British passport, you can use it to enter into Pakistan.
I wonder why your love to come to Pakistan has burst like a volcano all of sudden. May be you want to make a use of Pakistani nationality or something else. I guess you want to settle in somewhere else may be South Africa or Dubai and you know well about British laws and the ongoing tension between you and your country (UK). A part from all this, If someone is Pakistani and follows the procedure to obtain National card/passport may be issued as its the constitutional right.
Good News for People of Karachi. The representative of 98% poor people MQM has announced that it will shut down Karachi for one year if Pakistani passport is not issued to the Britisher citizen aka "The Bhai". Enjoy one year holidays and die of starvation o people of Karachi what more would you want???
Sounds like a back up plan in case SLY tightens its noose .He will never come back to Pakistan UNLESS risk of being arrested in UK becomes real.
After being a mohajir for 40 years, Britisher for 20 years, Altaf finally wants to become a Pakistani. The Govt should issue the documents ASAP before he changes his mind.
Lol. “Pakistan has a transparent and legal procedure in place..". Give us a break please..like none knows how corrupt are those officials who can make any document for extra cash.
Living in UK for 22 years, Altaf Bhai should know respect for the Law and legal procedures.
More discrimination against Mohajirs.