The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has been asked to develop a software that will contain all information about the foreigners and the exact number of foreigners in the country that will also be shared with the law enforcement agencies.
According to sources, the decision has come due to concerns about foreigners visiting sensitive locations without the permission of intelligence agencies. Furthermore, the provincial government of Punjab has also been asked to maintain an updated record of foreigners to ensure a strict check on their movement and ensure their security.
The decision was made at a meeting held in Islamabad which was attended by senior officials of the federal government and intelligence agencies. At the meeting the officials also discussed the loopholes that exist within the security apparatus for foreigners since many foreigners, especially Chinese nationals, have been working on various development projects.
Details of foreigners visiting Pakistan will be updated on the software along with the purpose of their visit and other details of their stay. As well as details of the locations they want to stay at and for how long will be incorporated in the immigration documents of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Furthermore, it was decided that Provincial governments may maintain an updated record of foreign security cells which are to address issues of foreigners and to maintain a report of their activities.
The Punjab government has already chalked out fresh standard operating procedures for the security of foreigners after observing the increased international investment in the province. The guidelines suggest to all divisional police chiefs and commissioners that all foreigners shall report to the district foreigner security cell when they arrive for the first time in the district and will inform the cell about their departure details.
After which the cell is to sensitize them about their responsibilities and provide them with written instructions regarding their security in English and Chinese. Moreover, a computerized database and bio-metric record of each foreigner living or working in the jurisdiction of each police station is also to be maintained and this record will be tallied with the FIA’s records.
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