ISLAMABAD:
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that the government will craft its strategy to deal with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest scheduled for August 5 once the party completes its preparations.
During a meeting with journalists on Friday at the Ministry of Interior, the federal minister said the Federal Constabulary (FC) will be imparted training on modern lines, adding FC is being converted into a federal force similar to its counterpart in the US. The salaries of FC personnel were revised on a par with those of other forces, said the minister, adding their Shuhadah Package was not even one-fourth of other institutions. This, he said, was also improved.
The FC force consists of 24,000 personnel which will remain the same, said Naqvi, adding the government is going to transform it into a better force.
The minister declined to comment on whether US President Donald Trump and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir discussed Imran Khan’s future in their meeting.
Clarifying a previous offhand remark that even a Station House Officer (SHO) could control terrorists in Balochistan, he said the comment was meant figuratively. Naqvi also claimed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir played a role in de-escalating the Iran-Israel tensions.
He revealed that a crackdown will be launched on 133 illegal housing societies in Islamabad. He said that foreigners would not be allowed to live in Pakistan illegally, adding Afghans living in the country illegally will not be given any extension.
The interior minister said Iran has deported 0.3 million Afghans and Pakistan will blacklist those Afghan who have not returned to their country yet.
He said Afghanistan is a brotherly Islamic country and talks are going on with it on many issues.
There is no possibility of 40,000 Pakistanis disappearing in Iran. Strict action will be taken against those running illegal call centers and their facilitators, the minister warned.
The interior minister said there are several institutions under the Ministry of Interior, adding there should be an army officer to run the affairs of eight departments, including Rangers and GB Scouts.
The minister pointed out no decision has been taken yet regarding bringing in retired or serving officers.
