Govt to register all foreigners in country: Sh Rashid

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Interior has decided to register all foreigners residing in the country and facilitate all those Pakistanis for their return who are stuck at Torkham border.

Addressing media men here on Thursday, the Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said, “It has been decided to register all foreigners present in the country and persons having fake Afghan visas have been also arrested. Around 40 to 50 thousands living in the country have no record for the last 70 years and every foreigner would be now registered.”

He said that online visa service has been initiated and cases are forwarded to the Cabinet. Within 30 days, he said that visas are issued to the applicants.

More than 4,000 Pakistanis are stuck at Torkham border who want to go to Saudi Arabia or Middle East countries, the minister said, adding that he would talk with NCOC and other concerned authorities to facilitate them for their return to the country.

The minister said that rapid coronavirus testing would be conducted and those declared negative would be brought back to the country while NCOC and FC would decide about those declared positive. He also appreciated the efforts of NCOC for effective strategy to combat pandemic.

Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that the case of Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) would be forwarded to the Cabinet this week. To a question, the minister said that PTI would win general elections in Azad Kashmir.

Imran Khan would also win the next general elections in the country and we would have to improve performance, he added. The minister said that drugs were being supplied in Pakistan from other countries and strict action would be taken against those involved in drug peddling activities. He said that no dialogue is possible with India until New Delhi restores the autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir.