ISLAMABAD:Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan desires honorable and dignified return of Afghan refugees to their homeland.
Responding to a calling attention notice in the National Assembly today, he said that necessary arrangements have been put in place at NADRA offices so that these refugees could not illegally get Pakistani citizenship. He clarified that these measures are not directed against the Pashtoon population who has given innumerable sacrifices in war on terror. He said we respect the sacrifices of Pashtoons as they have contributed to the stability of Pakistan.
The Minister said that no discriminatory policy is being pursued on linguistic, religious and ethnic lines. He said we desire to promote harmony to take forward the country.
The house today held discussion on the election of Chairman Senate and Deputy Chairman held yesterday.
The members from treasury benches voiced concerns over the tactics used by the opposition parties to get their candidates elected for the top slots of Senate. They said that collective steps are required to check horse trading in Senate elections and promote healthy and positive democratic traditions.
The opposition members said that the election of Chairman Senate from Balochistan will augur well for a strong federation.
Later the house was adjourned to meet again tomorrow at ten thirty am.
The house today passed a motion constituting a special committee to examine proposals and objections relating to delimitation of constituencies.
The motion to this effect was moved by Minister for States and Frontier Regions Abdul Qadir Baloch. The committee has been asked to present its report in seven days.
Three bills were laid before the house today.
These include The Compulsory Drug Test of Students Bill, The Prevention of Drugs in Educational Institutions bill and The National Commission for persons with Disabilities bill. APP/AFP