Repatriation of Afghan refugees: 'National Policy' being evolved with provinces' consent: Nisar

The National Assembly was informed on Monday that federal government with the collaboration of provincial governments would evolve a comprehensive 'National Policy' for repatriation of Afghan refugees. "The chief ministers of all provinces and senior officials of the security agencies will be invited for the consultations and discussion of the national policy for repatriation of Afghan refugees," the Interior Minister said while responding to different point of orders of the opposition members.
He said that a total of 3.5 million registered and unregistered Afghan refugees are living in Pakistan. He said that some Afghan refugees are involved in criminal and terrorism activities. He said that many Afghan refugees have illegally obtained Computerised National Identity Card (CNICs) and passports. He said that many issues have been created in the country due to the Afghan refugees who are living here for last 45 years.
Responding to the members regarding issuance of CNICs, the minister told the House that a Parliamentary Committee comprising of the members of various political parties is being constituted to address the problems of the people in the constituencies of Parliamentarians about CNICs and passports. He said that the Committee would be constituted next week with the consultation of the Speaker of National Assembly. He said that the Committee would also consider the proposals of the Parliamentarians. The minister said that three new mega Nadra offices would be opened in Karachi. He said that four mobile vehicles would be sent to Korangi for providing CNICs to the people.
Responding to senior member Nawab Yousaf Talpur of PPP, the minister said that he would take strict action against those officers of Interior Ministry who did not attend the meeting of the Standing Committee. However, he said that the Committee should send notice to the Ministry three days earlier before holding any meeting.
About the missing persons of the MQM, Nisar assured the House that federal government would contact the Sindh government in this regard. He said that this issue would be solved with the help of the provincial government. He said that according to his information, many missing persons have returned to their homes and some of them have joined another party.
About the death of a MQM worker in the custody of Ranger Force, he said that his Ministry has written a letter to Sindh government for establishment of judicial commission but it was denied. He said that federal government has no power to set up judicial commission for investigating in the provinces. Law and order in the provinces is the responsibility of the provincial government, he said.
Earlier, responding to a call attention regarding destruction of property as a result of Zarb-e-Azb, Khyber-I and Khyber-II operations and reconstruction, Parliamentary Secretary for States and Frontier Regions Shaheen Shafiq told the House that Rs 5 billion have been allocated for reconstruction of destroyed houses during these operations.
She said that the government has given four hundred thousand rupees each for severely damaged houses and one hundred and sixty thousand rupees each for less damaged ones. She said the Temporarily Displaced Persons were also given Rs 35,000 for transportation and food. Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmed told the House that a summary for establishment of Board of Directors of Pakistan Tobacco Board has been sent to the Prime Minister for approval. He said that representation of grower would be insured in the Board.