Over 57,800 fake CNICs detected during re-verification programme: state minister

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Interior Baligh-ur-Rehman on Tuesday informed the Senate that 57, 839 fake Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) have been detected during the re-verification programme till today.

“54 NADRA employees have been found involved in such cases and 16 out of them have been dismissed,” he said while addressing the House in Islamabad.

Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan had given approval for national CNICs re-verification drive to be launched on July 1 this year across Pakistan.

Baligh-ur-Rehman said 9.4 million people were sent SMS during the re-verification process.

Minister for Railway Khawaja Saad Rafique informed the House that the financial position of Pakistan Railways has considerably improved due to the policies adopted by the government.

He said Pakistan Railways earned revenue of Rs36.6 billion during 2015-16 as compared to Rs22.8 billion during 2013-14.

Saad Rafique said the losses of Pakistan Railways were brought down from Rs32.527 billion during 2013-14 to Rs24 billion during 2015-16.

“Existing track on main corridor is being upgraded under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). While, freight transport company has been established to explore new avenues for future freight traffic,” he said.

The Senate was informed that Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is functioning with absolute lawful authority and complete independence.

Replying to a question in the House, Minister of State for Interior Baligh-ur-Rehman said the agency is enjoying its all-out mandated administrative and operational authority without any interference and influence from the ministry of interior.

He said FIA’s performance has reasonably been improved for the last few years and it has delivered in many mega scandals.

To another question, the minister said steps have also been taken to increase outreach of FIA. He said strict monitoring and vigilance on the performance and conduct of FIA officers and officials has been enforced through establishment of Vigilance Units, performance evaluation committees and Snap Checking Committees.

Baligh-ur-Rehman said cash and reward has been introduced for the best performers in the agency. He said new FIA police station has been established at Mardan while a special court has been set up in Gujranwala.

The minister said special campaign for human traffickers have been launched under which over 2,000 people have been arrested.

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb informed the House that 390.91 million rupees have been allocated for 32 Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) projects of Information Ministry during the last fiscal year.

She said that majority of the PSDP projects are in Balochistan.