Interior minister directs NADRA to devise online registry system for INGOs

Nadra to help build a central database for ECL, no one will be allowed to be listed indefinitely

ISLAMABAD: The government on Monday decided that its top registration body, the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA), will be utilised to maintain a central database for the exit control list and to register international aid groups.

The development came weeks after the government had restricted operations of various International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) in the country, prominently among them Save the Children. The INGOs were allegedly involved in anti-state activities.

“NADRA would extend its services and expertise towards devising an online mechanism for the registration of INGOs, the processing of their cases and regularising the activities in the country,” stated the directions passed during a meeting held in interior ministry.

Read: Pakistan unseals Save the Children offices

No one to remain on Exit Control List forever

The meeting, which was headed by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, also reviewed progress on a new framework for the Exit Control List (ECL).

Expressing his serious reservation over the existence of  an ECL Blacklist, Nisar observed that there is no justification for having two lists, that is the ECL and the Blacklist. He directed the interior ministry and the Passport Directorate to take immediate steps to do away with this dual structure and maintain only one list.

Read: Bound at home: Over 150 people from twin cities make exit control list

He told the ministry to finalise its proposals within a month after coordinating with relevant departments and ministries, also asking them to justify their recommendations.

He said that in future nobody will be put on the ECL without proper justification, nor would any one remain on the list indefinitely.

Claiming that 'justice' will be the corner stone of the new system, which he says aims at putting an end to the reward and punishment approach adopted by previous regimes, will review enteries on the ECL and unjustified entries will be removed after a month.

The interior minister also directed NADRA to assist maintaining a central databank of the ECL to streamline the system and to facilitate Law Enforcement Agenices (LEAs) and the concerned individuals.

The interior minister said that the new system will simplify the procedure for making or deleting entries into the ECL.

Mega corruption cases to be pursued till their logical conclusion

Later, Nisar met senior officials of the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) to review progress made in investigating mega corruption cases, prosecuting ‘Hawala and Hundi’ and the internal accountability as well as incentives for the officers of FIA.

They reviewed progress in corruption cases of EOBI, Hajj, TDAP, New Airport, Pakistan State Oil and ETPB. The meeting was informed that out of 109 cases, challans have been issued in 79 cases, while investigations were continuing in another 30 cases.

Further, 169 people accused in these cases have been arrested while 147 had managed to secure bail. It was informed that 10 accused have been declared proclaimed offenders while 67 were absconders.

The minister reiterated commitment that all these mega corruption cases would be pursued to their logical conclusion and all involved would be brought to justice.

Nisar also observed that there was a need to introduce adequate incentives to attract efficient officers to the service.