21 January 2004	Wednesday	28 Ziqa'ad 1424

KARACHI, Jan 20: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan on Tuesday stressed the need for expediting the registration process of illegal immigrants under the National Aliens Registration Authority.

Speaking during a visit to Nara office here, the governor said that registration of aliens was a national responsibility and a legal obligation, which could protect the country against political and social perils.

Besides the Nara officials, the governor also asked the immigrants, arriving there for their registration, about their problems. Provincial Advisor Home, Aftab Shaikh, Principal Secretary Akhtar Zamin, city police chief, additional chief secretary (Home) and other officials concerned were also present on the occasion.

Nara Director-General Abdul Ghaffar Soomro briefed the governor about authority's performance and its problems. He pointed out that without maintaining a complete record of manpower, effective planning could not be carried out.

He urged the domestic, industrial and commercial employers to essentially ensure the registration of their foreign employees with Nara. The Governor asked the NARA officials to set up registration points in different areas, besides the Head Office, for speedy completion of the registration process. In this regard, he directed the police authorities to extend necessary cooperation.

He particularly called for seeking the cooperation of industrialists for attaining the registration objectives of Nara. Dr Ibad said that taking advantage of employees' weaknesses to employ him or her at lower wages was not only a form of bonded labour but it was also a crime.

On the occasion, it was told that illegally settled people were liable to 10-year imprisonment and fine, similarly their employer would also be liable to three year imprisonment. However, Nara registration could save them from punishment, it was added.-APP