Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervez Rashid Thursday said that the government has decided in principle to issue a National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) and a passport to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain who is currently in custody of the London Metropolitan Police for alleged money laundering.
Talking to reporters after attending National Conference on Interfaith Harmony here, the Information Minister said the government would provide every possible moral and legal assistance to any Pakistani facing difficult situation abroad without discrimination. About the arrest of MQM chief in London, he said the government fully co-operated with Altaf Hussain and Prime Minister has already issued directives to provide counsel access to MQM chief in London.
While rejecting the statements by some opposition leaders regarding issuance of a NICOP and passport to Altaf Hussain, he said the government has decided in principle to issue an NICOP and a passport to MQM chief. To another question about law and order situation in Karachi, he said that maintaining peace in Karachi is the top priority of the government. He also appreciated the decision taken by MQM leadership with regard to peace in Karachi.
"Altaf Hussain is very popular among the people of Karachi and the reaction of his party workers is natural," he said. However, he hoped that the MQM leadership will play a positive role in bringing normalcy to Karachi. When asked whether the government is considering launching a military action against militants, he stated Prime Minister has devised a strategy which is backed by all political parties and national institutions. He hoped that the strategy would yield positive results for cementing peace.
However, he made it clear that the government would respond with equal force if anybody tried to challenge its writ. The minister said Pakistan armed forces have been offering unprecedented sacrifices for the safety and security of the people and the whole nation pays tribute to them. He condemned the recent terrorist attacks, adding that the entire country is united against the menace of terrorism.
To another query about the expected arrival of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri to the country, he said a number of people who had attended Qadri's sit-in in Islamabad exposed themselves to a severe cold weather. According to him, people can no longer be befooled in such a hot weather for protest demonstrations. Responding to another question, he said that PTI chairman Imran Khan's recent participation in the joint sitting of the parliament for the presidential address shows that he has faith in parliamentary democracy and a democratic system.
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