ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control Baligh-ur-Rehman Tuesday told the Senate that the Interior Ministry had never stopped any foreign delegate to visit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) or any other part of the country.
Replying to a calling attention notice of Mohammad Azam Khan Swati, he contradicted the matter of non-issuance of no-objection certificate to the head of an international non-governmental organization (INGO) for visiting the KP.
He said there was a set procedure regarding visit of any foreign dignitary to any part of the country, including KP, like applying to the Interior Ministry seeking NOC, followed by checking of records and then making decision of allowing or disallowing visit.
He made it clear that the Interior Minister had not received any application for issuance of the NoC from the INGO official to visit the KP.
He said under 1951 Foreign Order and 1923 Secret Act, some areas in the country could be declared protected and any foreigner could be prohibited from visiting areas like some parts of Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, border areas, cantonments areas and other sensitive areas.
He said if any one had objection the relevant act could be changed through the parliament.
He said several delegations from INGOs and other organizations frequently visited Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Earlier, Senator Swati sought clarification regarding requirement for INGOs and their delegates to get NOCs from the Interior Ministry for visiting or working in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
On another calling attention notice of Senator Swati regarding non-implementation of 5% minorities' quota by the Evacuee Trust Property Board, Minister of State for Religious Affairs Pir Muhammad Amin ul Hasnat Shah said investigations were being carried out by National Accountability Bureau, Federal Investigation Agency and other departments into some matters and then any decision regarding the quota would be taken.
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