ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday assured the National Assembly he would direct the Interior Ministry to install equipment for making machine-readable passports (MRPs) at the provincial headquarters to mitigate the sufferings of the common man.
He was responding to a point of order raised in the House by the members, saying applicants faced difficulties in getting their passports on time due to a lot of burden on the Passport and Immigration Headquarters in the city.
Gilani said it was a genuine problem the common man faced and he would direct the Interior Ministry to provide MRP-making machines at the provincial headquarters.
He directed the ministry to step up efforts to rectify technical problems in such machines. He said the acquisition of a passport was the right of every citizen and any hurdles in this regard should be removed.
To a point of order, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar said local government elections should be held in cantonment areas of the country as well. He also advocated the provision of development funds to these areas. Earlier, Iqbal Muhammad Ali of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement suggested an audit of the cantonment boards and elections in these areas.
Abid Sher Ali of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz sought an inquiry into what he called an army general’s illegal occupation of state land in Cholistan. He said the inquiry report should be shared with the House.
Source: Daily Times
Date:2/12/2010
