Frontier Constabulary (FC) Balochistan Commandant, Moazzam Jah Ansari Friday informed a parliamentary panel that Pakistan has started work on fencing Pakistan-Iran border but Iran is resisting the move. While briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, which met here with Senator Abdul Rehman Malik in the chair, Moazzam said that Iran is resisting the fencing of the border.
He said that the security forces took action against the terrorists who were involved in the killing of 14 personnel in Ormara, Balochistan, adding that 15 miscreants have been killed. Moazzam said that the work on Pak-Iran border fencing would be completed in next three to four years, adding that forts would also be constructed along Pak-Afghan border.
He said that intelligence-based operations have been conducted during the last two weeks, adding that killing the terrorists entering from across the border is a biggest success; however, all the 15 miscreants didn't enter from Iran but local traitors facilitated them. The panel strongly condemned the suicide bomb blast near Data Darbar Lahore on Wednesday last by passing a joint resolution. Twelve people including five policemen were martyred and more than 20 other were injured in the blast.
Rehman Malik said, "Our hearts and souls are with the victim families of the Data Darbar, Lahore blast and we share their pains and sorrows." He said that the new wave of terrorism is of great concern as behind such terrorist activities, the involvement of inimical countries cannot be ignored. The panel demanded the government of Punjab to investigate the incident to find out the handlers, facilitators and terrorist networks behind this tragic incident.
The committee also paid a rich tribute to the police officials who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
Rehman Malik said that sacrifices of FC Balochistan are more than any other force in the country, saying "The committee pays rich tribute to the martyrs of the nation."
DIG FC (N) Balochistan Brig Furqan Moazzam briefed the committee in detail on the budget allocations and financial requirements for the projects to be undertaken during the financial year 2019-20. He said that the budget planned for FY 2019-20 is aimed at enhancement of force protection and combating efficiency, maintenance and repair of solider accommodations. He said that it also includes rising of 1X Sector HQ, 2X Corps HQ and 8x Rifle Wings and miscellaneous pending issues. He further said that the increase in budget allocations is justified because of 10% increase in overall budget as compare to last financial year budget due to increase in employment related expenses and also 10% decrease in recurring/operating expenses as compared to last financial year. He said that there are limited prospects for enhancement of combat efficiency & force protection in allocated budget with a deficiency of Rs 22.565 billion. He requested the committee to recommend the Ministry of Finance for the release of budgeted funds for fiscal year 2019-20 of Rs 23.35 billion) latest by August 30, 2019 to ensure timely procurements. He also requested the release of 100% budget, Rs 15.038 billion, for raising of 8X rifle wings, 2x corps HQs and 1X Sector HQ and also requested for release of pending funds Rs 2.130 billion for new raising wings of FY 2014/15 i.e. Rs 395 million and FY 216/17 i.e. Rs 1.735 billion as one time grant by PSDP.
The panel while appreciating the performance of FC said that it is need of the hour to fully empower the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) by equipping them with modern ammunitions, transportation, accommodation and other facilities. He ensured that he will make recommendations to the Ministry of Interior for allocation of desired budget for the fiscal year 2019-20.
The briefing started with remembrance of Shaheed Sifwat Ghayur, who had sacrificed his life in fighting against the terrorists as the then commandant FC. Rehman Malik highly applauded his services for the nation and Fateha was offered for him as well as other martyrs of Frontier Constabulary, KPK.
Commandant FC Moazzam Jah Ansari briefed the committee on the budget allocations and the financial requirements for the projects to be undertaken during of 2019-20. While briefing to the committee on the budget allocations for FC KPK, the commandant FC requested the committee to increase budget for raising bomb disposal squads, canine unit, up-gradation of Spina Thana as a district and up-gradation of Post Michini as a district, in the next financial year 2019-20. He said that it must be a matter of great shock for the members of the committee that the martyrs' package for the FC KPK is less than any force of the country; therefore, it is requested to enhance the package for the martyrs and injured troops of FC KPK. He added that up-gradation and sanctioning of intelligence units is necessary as current strength of one platoon is not enough. He requested the equipping of the forces according to ToE as approved by Ministry of Interior and establishment of FC districts in all newly-merged districts. He also requested the entitlement of FC troops for medical treatment in the government hospitals including Combined Military Hospital (CMH). He also requested for increase in salaries and scales for the employees of the FC equivalent to other police and the LEAs.
The committee considered a point of public importance regarding the steps being taken by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in order to ensure that all buildings and public places in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Islamabad are equipped with the requisite facilities for people with special needs/specially disabled people and proposed mechanism to be adopted in this regard. The issue was raised by Senator Dr Shahzad Waseem.
The chairman constituted a subcommittee under the convenorship of Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh with Senator Shehzad Waseem and Kalsoom Parveen as its members, and directed that the subcommittee will submit its report with recommendations within 15 days.
The committee also considered the point of public importance regarding the theft of mobile phones from Faisalabad Dry Port raised by Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh.
The SSP Faisalabad briefed the committee on the matter but the committee expressed dissatisfaction over the report and directed him that in coordination with Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh, the matter should be thoroughly investigated and it will be considered in the next meeting of the committee.
The chairman committee took a very serious notice on the media report regarding the involvement of Chinese nationals in illegal marriages with Pakistani girls. Rehman Malik told the committee that the officials of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) briefed him in detail in the morning about the illegal marriage of Pakistani girls with Chinese citizens. However, as the matter is still under investigation, so the agency will brief the committee in the next meeting. Rehman Malik emphasised the need for establishment of a regulatory authority for marriage bureaus.
The meeting was attended by senators including Dr Shahzad Wasim, Mian M Ateeq Shaikh, Rana Maqbool, Kalsoom Parveen, Muhammad Javed Abbasi, Muhammad Asad Ali Khan Junejo, Muhammad Talha Mehmood and Sardar Shafique Tareen. The meeting was also attended by the federal secretary interior, additional secretary IG FC KPK, commandants Frontier Corps Balochistan (N) and South, deputy commissioner Islamabad and other senior officials from the CDA and the Ministry of Interior.
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