Passport application: Interior ministry tells Altaf Hussain to ‘follow procedure’

Interior ministry says MQM chief has not submitted his application properly, Altaf sad and disappointed with remarks.


Sumera Khan May 13, 2014
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain. PHOTO: PID

ISLAMABAD:


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)

Kamran | 9 years ago | Reply

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.

Hammad | 9 years ago | Reply

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

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