A parliamentary panel on Wednesday expressed concern over leakage of sensitive data by National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) to help out Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in forthcoming general election.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has accused Chairman Usman Mubeen of leaking out the sensitive data to aid the PML-N in 2018 general election in order to return the favor-a claim which Nadra boss has vehemently denied-as he was appointed by the previous government.
The Senate Standing Committee on Interior & Narcotics Control, which met here in the chair of Rehman Malik, directed chairman Nadra to brief the committee on the controversy in the next meeting, saying if there is anything in the rumours then it is a very serious allegation, which should be properly investigated.
Consistently denying the reports, the chairman Nadra had held a presser through all the director generals of his organizations, but still political parties, especially PTI, are not ready to believe the chairman Nadra, an MIT graduate who is running the authority for the second consecutive term as its chairman.
"If there is any truth in the allegations against Nadra chief then all those responsible for this should be taken to task," maintained Malik, asking, "What is the level of the password security and internal system of scrutiny and which SOP is applied?"
The issue of voting by overseas Pakistanis in upcoming general election 2018 also came under discussion. The committee regretted that the overseas Pakistanis will not be voting in upcoming elections as NADRA couldn't hand over the software to Election Commission of Pakistan.
The committee strongly condemned recent wave of terrorist attacks on personnel of law enforcement agencies (LEAs), particularly FC personnel who are being targeted continuously in Balochistan.
Malik said that Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is involved in terrorist activities in Balochistan and there is a dire need of national solidarity to foil such nefarious designs of India.
He said that he appreciates the US government for enlisting the Indian terrorist organization RSS in the foreign terrorist organizations of which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also a member.
Modi is not only a product of RSS but one of its active members...I've been advocating for so many years that RSS is a terrorist organization and should be enlisted in foreign terrorists' organizations and Modi should be declared a terrorist by world community for his brutalities against Muslims in Gujrat, held Kashmir and other parts of India," he maintained.
The secretary interior briefed the committee on the ministry's functions and responsibilities and future plans including working of its attached and subordinate departments.
He also briefed the committee regarding arrangements made by the Ministry of Interior during Elections 2018. He stated that MOI's mission is to assist the Election Commission Pakistan (ECP) to conduct free and fair elections.
He stated that in view of the current security situation in Pakistan, electioneering and elections faced numerous threats and challenges that included attacks on candidates and disruption of communication networks. He also asserted that possibility of cross-border terrorist activity could not be ruled out.
Regarding sensitivity of polling stations, the special secretary MOI revealed that provinces had already provided the ministry with relative information.
On issue of illegal weapons, the panel made it clear that it is imperative to rid the country of illegal weapons. Malik observed that illegal arms and extremism are inter-linked and underscored the need that besides eliminating terrorism, extremism should also be wiped out. He said, "We need to work on de-radicalization and de-weaponization in the country."
The committee asked Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to start a crackdown against the human smugglers across the country and directed FIA to thoroughly get those investigated who are being deported from different countries for their illegal immigration.
Asking a detailed briefing on issue of removing the name of Zulfi Bukhari from ECL by Ministry of Interior, the committee expressed dismay over the matter and said if Zulfi Bukhari was not informed about placing his name on ECL then the mistake is at part of the ministry.