SUKKUR: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday visited the city’s passport office and Nadra centre and expressed his displeasure over the inconvenience being faced by people seeking their passports and CNICs. He issued necessary directives to the officials concerned for immediate action to provide relief to citizens.

During his visit to the passport office, the minister found that the building’s construction work had been abruptly stopped. He asked the officials concerned about reasons for the lapse and directed them to ensure completion of the work within the next six months.

The minister also expressed his displeasure over untidy environment and lack of essential facilities at the passport office. “It’s not at all acceptable,” he warned, and asked the officials concerned to make all essential facilities available to passport seekers and ensure proper cleaning and hygienic atmosphere in and around the office. He said such a vital facility should have been located in the heart of the city for people’s easy access to it.

He assigned the task of supervising the construction work to the federal secretary and asked him to ensure its completion by the given deadline.

Mohsin Naqvi displeased over conditions at Sukkur passport office, Nadra centre; orders immediate remedial measures

Later, the interior minister proceeded to the Nadra office, where a woman, a special citizen and some other people complained of long delays in being able to be served. They said they were being made to wait for more than three-and-a-half hours for their turn.

Angered over the problems being faced by people, Mr Naqvi asked the staff about the issue. They informed him that heavy rush at the centre was the main reason for the delays.

Mr Naqvi discussed the matter with senior Nadra officials at the centre and ordered setting up of three more Nadra centres in Sukkur and Rohri to deal with the situation.

District Council Chairman Syed Kumail Haider Shah promised to provide suitable spaces for the new centres.

Mr Naqvi expressed the hope that after opening of the new centres, no one would have to wait for more than 30 minutes to get his/her work done. He said the same maximum waiting time would be ensured at all Nadra centres across the country.

During his discussion with the senior Nadra officials, Mr Naqvi said he wanted to see that each and every eligible citizen had his/her CNIC.

Law and order

Later, talking to the media, the minister said his ministry was ready to provide all possible support to the provincial government in restoring peace across Sindh.

He repeated the federal government’s stance that army would be sent to the riverine (katcha) areas “whenever Sindh government will ask for it”.

He said all possible measures would be taken to restore peace in Kandhkot-Kashmore, Ghotki and Shikarpur districts.

He said a meeting between federal and provincial authorities concerned would be held soon which would be presided over by President Asif Ali Zardari.

The minister said that President Zardari himself had expressed his concern over lawlessness in certain districts.

A solution to the issues relating to the law and order in Karachi and the riverine areas of Sindh would be discussed at the meeting to be chaired by the president, he added.

“In this regard, we will also meet Chief Minster Syed Murad Ali Shah, he said.

Minister visits Rangers headquarters

APP adds: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi commended the pivotal role played by the Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, in maintaining law and order in the province and their concerted efforts in thwarting terrorism.

During his visit to the headquarters of the paramilitary force, he lauded Rangers’ extensive operations targeting criminal elements in the riverine regions and combating crime across the province, according to a press release. The minister, reiterating his unwavering commitment, affirmed government’s resolve to ensure peace in Sindh, with particular focus on Karachi.

During the visit, Mr Naqvi received a comprehensive briefing on Sindh Rangers’ operational readiness, ongoing initiatives in riverine areas and the law and order situation in Karachi.

Director General of Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, Major General Azhar Waqas welcomed the minister upon his arrival at the headquarters.

The minister paid homage to martyrs of Rangers and prayed at the Yadgar-i-Shuhada (martyrs’ monument).

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2024