Inspector General of Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Major General Rahat Naseem Ahmed Khan has said that 90 percent of the border areas have been cleared from terrorists and miscreants, as fence along the Pak-Afghan border would be completed by October 30, 2019. He stated this while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Interior which met with Senator Rehman Malik in the chair here on Wednesday.
Major General Rahat Naseem Ahmed Khan said that FC KP is leading in fencing the border as work on a 586-kilometre-long portion of fence along the Pak-Afghan border has been completed. He assured the committee that by October 30th of this year, FC KP will be completing fencing of its assigned portion of the border.
The committee was briefed on the organisational structure and working of the FC KP (North). The IG FC stated that the paramilitary force has been entrusted a special role during war on terror since 2001 due to its outstanding performance and commitment towards job and understanding of the culture, norms and traditions of the people living in the erstwhile FATA and across the border.
He said that FC KP is playing a vital role in controlling cross border terrorism. He said that keeping in view the social norms and values of the tribal areas, a number of female soldiers have also been recruited in FC KP for search operation against miscreants.
The committee appreciated and directed the Ministry of Interior that rules should be made for proper cadre of female soldiers giving them full promotional opportunities to the level of officer ranks.
The IG FC said that the FC is proud to claim that FC KP takes a tank to 12,000ft height setting a world record, adding that the tank is fully operational. He added that they are combating firing from Afghanistan side on heavy level.
Committee Chairman Rehman Malik said that the Afghan government could be behind the cross-border firing on Pakistani forces directing the government to take the matter with Afghan government to stop abetting terrorists on Pak-Afghan border.
Malik expressed his satisfaction on the pace of fencing and said that this border will no more be a porous border for cross-border terrorism and other criminal activities.
He observed that working on such high altitude check posts is not less than a challenge for which the Ministry of Interior should provide air ambulance for rescuing and timely shifting of injured soldiers to the hospitals. He also directed the Ministry of Interior to allocate special funds to provide kerosene oil to the FC KPK for cooking purposes at remote stations.
He directed the DG FIA to open at least 5 to 8 windows at Torkham border for immigration as daily more than 12,000 people cross Pak Afghan border. He also directed to study whether the biometric system for the purpose of immigration can be installed at Pak-Afghan borders.
The IG FC KP told the committee that unfortunately there is no hospital for FC KPK and their families, adding that there is requirement of only Rs 2 billion. The chairman directed the Ministry of Interior to provide Rs 1 billion in the next fiscal year so that project can be initiated and completed in two fiscal years. He also directed the Ministry of Interior to coordinate with the provincial government of KPK for allotment of land for FC (KPK) Housing Society.
The committee strongly condemned the ongoing brutalities in Indian Occupied Kashmir by Indian forces. The committee paid rich tribute to the martyrs of Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (FC KPK) and offered Fateha for the departed souls of martyrs and extended heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families of the martyrs of the nation.
Malik lauded the role of FC KPK for their sacrifices and securing every inch of the borders of the motherland. He said that sacrifices of FC KPK are more than any other force in the country. He said the committee pays rich tribute to the martyrs of the nation and martyrs of the FC. He said, "We are proud of our Armed Forces and their command and appreciate General Qamar Javed Bajwa for his role in fighting against terrorism."
Malik said, "Our hearts and souls are with the victim families and brave people of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK) and we fully support them in their struggle for legitimate right of self-determination under UNSC resolutions."
Senator Kalsoom Parveen said that pregnant women in the IOK are dying in their homes because they have no access to hospitals.
On the suo motu notice of the mismanagement, irregularities and death of animals and birds in the Islamabad Zoo, Mayor of Islamabad Ansar Aziz informed the committee that news regarding death and mistreatment of animals and birds in the Islamabad Zoo is not correct but a propaganda by some NGOs which wanted to take the control of the Zoo in their hands.
He added that there was a proposal to export the elephant "Cawan" to Sri Lanka which was not possible of its huge size however a team of expert doctors visited Islamabad Zoo and checked up the elephant and said that elephant is suffering from loneliness.
On another suo motu notice taken by the chairman on fake Twitter accounts with particular reference to a fake Twitter account of former Senator Aitzaz Ahsan, director Cyber Crimes Cell, FIA, informed the panel that the matter was taken up with Twitter administration and got the fake account blocked; however they didn't share the IP addresses and other details of the handler.
The chairman of the committee directed PTA and FIA to coordinate closely to cater the cyber crimes which are increasing by each day in the country. He directed the Ministry of Interior to remove the bottlenecks in the SoPs which may create hurdles in sharing information between PTA and FIA.
Comments
Comments are closed.