Latest news with #PakistanCitizenshipBill2025
Express Tribune
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Senators seek arms licences
Lawmakers in the upper house on Tuesday demanded arms licenses for themselves, prompting Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to announce that one prohibited-bore license will be issued to every member of parliament. The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem, began with prayers for the victims of the Swat tragedy. Lawmakers raised multiple issues, including arms licenses, illegal housing societies in Islamabad, water shortages and security arrangements for Muharram. Senator Palwasha Khan raised the issue of halted arms license issuance to parliamentarians. In response, Naqvi announced that each member of parliament will be issued one license, adding that quota allocations would be increased for areas facing deteriorating law and order situations. He also ordered refunds for individuals who paid fees for licenses during the previous tenure but never received them. During the session, Director General (DG) of Immigration and Passports Mustafa Jamal Qazi came under heavy criticism from committee members. Senator Haji Hidayatullah protested against the DG's alleged unprofessional behaviour, claiming that Qazi ignores his calls and refuses to act on them, while accommodating others for the same requests. "He even said about my leader Aimal Wali Khan, 'Is he greater than the state?', which is an unacceptable insult," Hidayatullah said. Interior Minister Naqvi instructed the Interior Secretary to look into the matter. The committee was also briefed on proposed amendments to the Pakistan Citizenship Bill 2025. DG Qazi explained that overseas Pakistanis who previously had to renounce Pakistani citizenship to acquire foreign nationality would now be eligible to reclaim it, especially those from countries with which Pakistan has bilateral agreements. He argued that this move would help attract investment, philanthropy, and expertise back to Pakistan. However, Senator Palwasha questioned the practical benefits, prompting Qazi to respond: "These individuals are assets. They earn abroad, invest here, and contribute to development and charity in Pakistan."
Express Tribune
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Interior minister announces prohibited bore licences for parliamentarians
Mohsin Naqvi addresses the media during his visit to the Mega Passport Center on Peco Road in Lahore. Photo: Screengrab Listen to article Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced that each parliamentarian will be granted one prohibited bore licence for personal security. The announcement was made during a meeting of the Senate's Standing Committee on Interior, chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem on Tuesday. The committee chair expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of arms licences being issued to parliamentarians, prompting Naqvi's response. The minister also directed the interior secretary to look into complaints regarding the performance of the DG Passports. The committee discussed security concerns, with the minister agreeing that areas with poor law and order would see an increase in licence quotas. Naqvi also announced that individuals who had paid fees but did not receive licences in the past would have their fees refunded. The committee reviewed the Pakistan Citizenship Bill 2025, with DG Passports Mustafa Jamal Qazi briefing members on the proposed amendments. The amendments aim to allow overseas Pakistanis who renounced their citizenship to regain it, enabling them to invest, do business, and contribute to the country's development. During the meeting, Senator Haji Hidayatullah expressed dissatisfaction with the alleged irresponsible behaviour of the DG Passports. He complained that the DG would not answer his calls, and when he did, he failed to take action. He also claimed that the DG had disrespected his leader, Aimal Wali Khan, which he deemed unacceptable. The interior minister directed the interior secretary to investigate the matter. Moreover, Senator Fauzia Arshad raised concerns about water scarcity in the federal capital. Naqvi acknowledged that the situation at Rawal Dam was concerning and informed the committee that a task force had been formed, as per the prime minister's directives, to meet every 15 days to address Islamabad's water issues. He stated that water scarcity is a significant problem in new housing societies, many of which have been established illegally, contributing to a separate crisis. Meanwhile, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa IG Zulfikar Hameed provided a security briefing for Muharram during the meeting, revealing that, out of 35 districts in the province, eight are sensitive and six are extremely sensitive. To ensure security, 43,470 personnel are being deployed in these areas, he said, adding that surveillance has been heightened along the borders with Punjab and Balochistan, and aerial surveillance will be conducted in certain regions. The K-P IG also disclosed evidence of external interference in a recent incident, where an attempt to target a political rally in Peshawar was foiled.
