ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said that a committee has been constituted to probe the issue of DAWN NEW’s reporter Cyril Almeida whose name was included in the Exit Control List (ECL) after his controversial story was published in the newspaper about the high-level security meeting.
Talking to media representatives in Islamabad on Thursday, the minister said that the representatives of Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) and All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) have been called for a meeting tomorrow (Friday) to discuss the matter.
Nisar said that Cyril Almeida’s name was put on the ECL because he was scheduled to leave the country the very next morning, and his presence in the country was necessary for investigation.
The minister said that an inquiry will be conducted into the placement of Cyril Almeida’s name on the ECL after which everyone will be allowed to travel freely.
The interior minister said that the incorrect news provided an opportunity to enemies of Pakistan to level allegations against the country.
Talking about the online passport renewal service launched for the overseas Pakistanis, the minister said that the overseas Pakistanis will now be able to get their passports renewed at their residences abroad.
The interior minister said that e-service will be introduced in Pakistan within six months, and it will be ensured across the country in the next two years. He said that the e-service will help check frauds in issuance of passports besides easy renewal of passports.
Chaudhry Nisar said that the government is making efforts to provide people the best services to acquire national identity card and passport in an easy way. He said that passport offices will be established in every district of the country.
