90,000 fake ID cards, passports were issued to Afghanis: NA told.

ISLAMABAD, November 13, 2009 (Balochistan Times): Minister for Interior Rehman Malik Friday told National Assembly that as many as 90,000 Afghanis had got fake national identity cards and passports but the computerization of the system has helped a lot to forefend such attempts. Such cases used to occur till a couple of years ago. Almost 90,000 Afghanis got NIC on fake documents and passports. We have established a task force to scrutinize the matter and cancel the fake ID cards and passports, the interior minister told National Assembly replying to a question. He said the government has made the system stringent to ensure that no foreigner may get Pakistani passport and a task force has also been formed to counter the illegal immigration of the people to and from the borders. The minister said federal Investigation Agency has registered 1,058 cases for getting visas on fake documents during the period from January 2000 to March 2009 and such passengers carrying were intercepted by FIA Immigration. Similarly, the passengers who had succeeded to travel from Pakistan on fake documents and were subsequently deported to Pakistan were also responsible. FIA took action against all these responsible and their agents and most of these accused were convicted by courts. He said the task force comprising ISI, IB and Special Branch, in a meeting held on Thursday, was strictly directed to intercept all those people travelling on fake documents. Rehman Malik said the security at entry and exit points have been beefed up and due to the installation of computerized system at airports, it is almost impossible for the black-listed people to travel from there. The interior minister said no foreigner is allowed to display arms in the country and categorically stated that there is no Blackwater in Pakistan. He said under an agreement signed in 2003, the then government had allowed a company, having contract with the US, to supply arms to Afghanistan through Pakistan for the US troops fighting there and added that the PPP-led government honoured the agreement but put the condition that the supply would be escorted by the Pakistani security forces. Regarding the interception of three foreigners carrying weapon in the federal capital, the interior minister said they were released after its was proved that they were diplomats. However, a letter has been moved to the concerned embassy as well as other embassies warning that no foreigner would be allowed to carry weapons otherwise strict action would be taken. To a question, Minister for Privatization Syed Naveed Qamar told the House that under Benazir Employees Stock Option Scheme, 12% shares of the 80 corporate entities would be owned by the employees. He said the employees will not be allowed to sell their shares in the market; however, they can sell it to the Trust after their retirement and can encash their shares.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)