NADRA Mobile Registration Vans inaugurated: Ahsan terms early polls demand 'a conspiracy' against democracy

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal Friday said those who are demanding early election in the country are indeed hatching conspiracies against democracy. Talking to reporters after inauguration of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Mobile Registration Vans (MRVs), Iqbal said that Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan was demanding early election in the country, as he wanted caretaker government for a long time. "If he knows holding of general election is impossible before July 2018 then why he is demanding early election in the country," he said.
"There is no question of elections before July, as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced that finalisation of voters list and delimitation of constituencies are impossible before July," he elaborated.
To a question about increase in crime rate in the country following entry of Chinese nationals, the minister said that a significant decline had been noted in crimes but a deliberate campaign was under way to present the Chinese narrative negatively. "China invested in Pakistan when no one else was ready to come to the country," he added.
Regarding visa policy, he said that no change had been made in the policy on arrival but they had to relax visa policy to facilitate investors and tourists. He said there was no need to be emotional on visa issuance on arrival.
To a question on allowing international non-governmental organizations (INGO) to operate in the country, he said the Ministry of Interior would not register INGOs found involved in anti-state activities. However, the government would facilitate those INGOs playing role in development of the country.
Regarding suspension of arms licenses of automatic weapons, he said the federal government was in close contact with provinces and the policy would be implemented in letter and sprit in that regard.
The minister said Kasur murder suspect had been arrested but baseless propaganda had been launched through social media regarding suspect's bank accounts. He termed the propaganda a conspiracy against the government. He said it was the responsibility of every individual to verify reports circulating on social media before reacting to them. The minister said that different anti-state elements were using social media to destabilise the country because election was going to be held that year.
To a question about election of new chief minister Balochistan, he said those who played drama of removal of elected government in Balochistan, including former President Asif Ali Zardari, had committed injustice with Pakistan and Balochistan.
He said significant improvement had been visible in the law and order in the country. The minister said MRVs had been inducted in the NADRA to facilitate people hailing from far-flung areas in getting the computerized national identity cards (CNICs). The NADRA has included 74 more MRVs in its team and directives have been issued to include another 100 vans. The NADRA has been directed to make special measures to cater to the women population of the country to ensure their participation in the upcoming election.