Senate body on interior met today

ISLAMABAD, Aug 31 (APP): The Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control met on Monday under the Chairmanship of Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman at Parliament House to deliberate on critical issues regarding, law enforcement oversight, public safety, and civic infrastructure in the federal capital.

The meeting commenced with discussions on parliamentary privileges and law enforcement regulations.

Senator Abid Sher Ali pointed out of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) of parliamentarian’s official passport by the Ministry of Interior, inquiring about the specific legal obligations or provisions governing such conditions.

In response, the Director General (DG) Passports clarified that no such restriction exists under current law and committed to submitting a detailed report on passport categorization to the committee on priority basis.

Addressing the issue of tampered and non-custom-paid vehicles, Committee directed that the agenda related to FBR be discussed in the next meeting.  The Sub-Committee report will also be discussed in the next meeting.

Senator Abdul Shakoor’s query about the illegal allotment of a plot in sector I-10/4, CDA informed the Committee that a in-office investigation is ongoing, the matter has also been referred to the FIA, and it is also currently under litigation.

The Committee has directed the FIA authorities to submit their report in the next meeting. On matters of public safety and law enforcement, the committee sought updates on high-profile cases, including a report from the DIG Larkana regarding the Mahnoor abduction case.

The committee also scrutinized the Capital Development Authority (CDA) regarding the implementation of fire safety regulations and mandated comprehensive Fire Safety Audit reports for public buildings across Islamabad.

Addressing the capital’s water shortage, the CDA briefed the committee on current demand and supply gaps, highlighting plans to expand conduction capacity and process long-term initiatives such as drawing water from the Tarbela Dam, alongside recommendations for rainwater harvesting and waste-water management.

The Chairman CDA was further directed to expedite joint resolution efforts with parliamentary bodies on civic infrastructure matters.

In relation to specific agenda items on CDA operations, the committee noted that the point of public importance regarding the non-implementation of recommendations for Khateebs, Imams, and mosque staff was deferred for the next meeting, while directing the Ministry of Interior and CDA to brief the committee on daily-wage staff and make a policy guideline to resolve this issue once for all and inform the committee in its next meeting.

Regarding the missing property file pertaining to House No. 622 in Sector I-10/4, the committee reviewed ongoing litigation and inquiries involving the FIA and CDA, directing the FIA to submit a comprehensive report expeditiously.

Addressing urban planning policies, Senator Quratulain Marri highlighted that daycare facilities in commercial and residential spaces have transitioned from a luxury to a basic necessity for working women, prompting the Chairman of the

Committee to direct the CDA to present a detailed report on establishing daycare centers.

On the matter of daycare bill passed in 2022, the committee directed the Ministry of Interior and the Secretary of the CDA to ensure their immediate implementation.

Furthermore, the committee examined the paid parking policy, noting that the CDA generated Rs 650 million over the last two years across seven auctioned parking spaces, and questioned the utilization, maintenance, and oversight of these revenues.

Senator Abid Sher Ali raised issues regarding digital parking and basement/underground parking structures in commercial plazas, leading the committee to direct the CDA to address these matters in joint coordination with relevant stakeholders and report back to the committee.

Deliberating on security policies, the Ministry of Interior briefed the committee on Tinted Glass Permits (TGPs), noting that permits with QR codes are currently issued for 6–12 months and verified on-site, with a total of 1,800 active permits issued.

Regarding arms licenses, the committee was informed that no policy exists for issuing business-category licenses to individuals in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and former FATA areas, prompting the Ministry to brief the committee on incoming directions to address special cases.

Committee also disussed the visa policies for Afghanistan visitors, NADRA explained that applications are routed through the Ministry of Interior deals with 118 categories of visas and 4 by the MOFA, issued to foreign businesspeople and students, though delays occur due to clearance processes from security agencies clearance policy.

The agenda item regarding phone confiscation policies by the FIA at airports was disposed of due to the non-availability of the relevant member.

DIG on behalf of IG KP was directed to submit a complete report by September 7 regarding arrests in the murder case of the late Syed Amir Shehzad Shah in Mansehra.

Briefing on the Islamabad Capital Territory, the IGP Islamabad highlighted a 28% reduction in crime compared to previous years, plans to recruit 2,600 personnel for the ICT Police, the integration of 40 electric vehicles, and the establishment of 60 solar-powered charging points.

Regarding Gilgit-Baltistan, Senator Talha Mahmood raised concerns over NOC requirements for international tourists, to which the committee noted security considerations along Western border routes and appreciated the police’s work in challenging conditions, fully supporting the IG’s recommendations to enhance police strength. Additionally, Senator Talha Mahmood informed the committee that no FIA office exists in the Chitral and Malakand regions, leading the committee to direct the department to address this gap and present a report.

The meeting was attended by Senators Palwasha Khan, Talha Mahmood, Abid Sher Ali, Dilawar Khan, Mir Dostain Khan Domki, Jam Saifullah Khan, Shahadat Awan, Naseema Ehsan, and Quratulain Marri (on zoom). The Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control also attended the meeting along with the Secretary of Interior, Chairman CDA, DG Passports, IG Gilgit-Baltistan, DIG Larkana, representatives of the FIA, and officials from all other relevant departments.