NOC for foreign tourists to Gilgit-Baltistan not mandatory, says Ch Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday said that condition – which was made mandatory for foreign tourists – to have No-Objection Certificate (NOC)  for visiting Gilgit-Baltistan has been lifted after holding meetings and forming consensus including with Chief Minister of the region, ARY News reported.

“However, the security clearance will be mandatory for any foreigner to set up a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) or a key project in the country”, Nisar said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.

Talking about fake National Identity Cards (NICs), the interior minister said that 353,000 NICs have been blocked in last three months including 174,000 identity cards of foreign nationals.

He also apprised the media persons that 33,000 passports were also cancelled, however, an appeal could be filed in this regards.

Over the human organs smuggling, Nisar said: “Human organs smuggling was taking place in a systemic and organized way in which the role of some doctors and FIA [Federal Investigation Authority] officials was highly deplorable”, adding that with government efforts, the human organs smuggling has been curbed to a great extent.

The minister said that in a countrywide operation several persons were arrested who were involved in smuggling of human organs.

He also announced action against sub-standard imported food and beverages. “FIA has been given the task to ensure the quality of imported food and beverage products”, he added.

The interior minister said that the local distributors of imported food supplies would be responsible if any compromise made on quality.

On progress made in Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder’s case, he said that his red warrants would be issued before June 15.

He claimed complete civil-military consensus achieved on the Dawn leaks inquiry report. “It wasn’t as big of an issue as it was made out to be”, Nisar told media persons.