ISLAMABAD, March 15 (DNA): Entry and exit of 303 residences of foreigners in Islamabad who did not provide their data to the Capital Police during household survey would be blocked from tomorrow (Wednesday).This was decided at a meeting held in Islamabad Tuesday under the chairmanship of Interior Minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan.These households have already been issued two legal notices for provision of necessary data. Today was the last date for the purpose.

The INGOs which have been cleared by the Interior Ministry include Kokyo naki Kodomotachi (KnK) Japan, Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), Operational Centre Brussels, Belgium, Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind ( Sight Savers) UK, Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) France, Qatar Charity, Qatar, Jhpiego Corporation, USA, Oxfam Great Britan UK, Helpage International, UK, Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), Holland, Care International USA, USA, Secours Islamique France, France, Association for Aid and Relief Japan, Japan, JEN (Japan Emergency NGOS) Japan, International Medical Corps (IMC) USA, Saudi Relief Committee for Afghanistan (SRCA) KSA, Relief International USA, World Learning Inc. USA, Sakura Wheelchair Project, Japan, Action Against Hunger USA, Midland Doctors Association UK, Terre des homes Foundation, Switzerland, The Fred Hollows Foundation Australia, Health Care 4 All International UK, Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Relief Campaign for Pakistan KSA and American Refugee Committee International, USA

Addressing the members of INGOs Committee of the Interior Ministry, the Minister directed them to further expedite the process of registration in consultation with all stakeholders. He said that the new policy is aimed at facilitating INGOs and to regulate their affairs thus making the entire system more transparent and work-friendly on one hand and to build a strong partnership of Governmental and non-governmental sector in all areas of development, on the other.

Quoting a letter from Pakistan Humanitarian Forum wherein the INGOs representative body appreciated the Interior Minister and the Ministry for its support to the INGOs and the commitment to make the new system a success story, the Minister observed that it was encouraging to see the response of the non-governmental bodies towards the efforts aimed at regulating the system.

The Minister said that the Interior Ministry is ready to assist the provinces in putting in place similar mechanism for the registration of NGOs in the provinces and thus regulating their affairs.

The meeting also reviewed progress on Safe City Project. The Interior Minister was apprised that the project has passed its test phase and is ready to be formally inaugurated. It was informed that the integration of security as well as traffic management system of the federal capital in the Safe City Project would not only complem ent efforts of the law enforcing agencies in prevention, detection and crime control but would also render huge help in resource optimization especially the human resources. The Minister was informed that successful execution of the Project and its effectiveness vis-a-vis curbing crime and traffic management would enable this model to be replicated in all major cities of the country.

Safe City Project Director also gave a detailed briefing on overall performance including the areas under surveillance, various features of the project and the future prospects.

The Minister accepted the invitation to inaugurate the Project in April 2016.

On the issue of shifting of offices from residential areas, the Minister directed IG Police to immediately shift their offices from the residential areas in the light of directions of Supreme Court. He said that we respect observations of Superior Judiciary and Supreme Court’s decision would be implemented in letter and spirit, however it is not befitting the stature of judges to raise the profile of international organizations by naming them in their statements out of context.

The meeting also reviewed progress on new technology-based initiatives being put in place by the ICT Police to improve policing, curbing crime and promoting greater liaison between the police and the public and thus making the ICT Police a truly professional, responsive, people-friendly and a premier police force.

Discussing private security companies, the Interior Minister also directed to revoke licenses of private security companies who have not submitted their particulars and details to ICT administration.

On household survey in the ICT, the Interior Minister was briefed that only 303 houses located in posh areas and inhabited by foreigners have not yet shared their particulars with the ICT Police. It was decided to block entrances and exit of these houses from tomorrow.

Notices to this effect would be issued by ICT Police this evening. It was informed that earlier two legal notices were served to these houses and the last date for submission of particulars was March 15. It may be recalled that in view of security concerns, the Interior Ministry since past one and a half year has been making efforts to ensure that no unregistered person resides in any house of the federal capital.

Those who were present during the meeting included among others Secretary Interior, Special Secretary Interior, NC NACTA, IG Islamabad, Chairman NADRA, Chief Commissioner ICT, Deputy Commissioner, Project Director Safe City Project and senior officials of the Ministry.