Rehman Malik says visa-accord will strengthen Pak-India ties

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that newly inked visa-accord will help in strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and India, adding it would benefit people of the two neighboring countries.

While speaking to the media, the minister said that he had urged Indian authorities to open visa office in Karachi.

Commenting about the new routes between the two countries, he said they had discussed with Indian authorities about Karachi-Mumbai ferry service, Khokhrapar rail service and raising the number of flights.

Replying to a query, Malik said that Indian fishermen have been released unconditionally as a goodwill gesture.

The minister said he had ordered the authorities concerned to beef up security in major cities of the country to avert any possible terror incident. Praising the services rendered by the law-enforcement agencies, he said they had been alerted in view of possibility of more terrorist attacks.

Commenting about the Sindh People’s Local Government Ordinance (SPLGO), Rehman Malik informed the media local government system was a provincial matter, adding that people should not interfere in provincial matters after provincial autonomy under the 18^th amendment.

He observed, “The mandate of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Sindh should be respected”.

When he was asked about differences on the newly approved local government system among coalition partners, he said that difference of opinion was the beauty of the democracy as it encourages debate which brings development.

In his view, nobody from Sindh, Balochistan or Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa should give a reaction to it if a bill is passed in the Punjab Assembly.

He further stated, “Those making criticism should wait for general elections which will be held on time and people will elect their representatives and our performance is before the people”.

Although law and order situation has been improved in Karachi, strict action will be taken against criminals without any discrimination.

While answering to a question, he said that the country has so far banned up to 43 organizations for alleged involvement in terrorist incidents.

He further elaborated that most organizations were based in Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan, adding that a list of terrorist bodies was presented in the National Assembly.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=32386

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Sep 10 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.