ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has called for strict observation of a ban on interaction between foreigners and officials of the ministry and subordinate departments, undertaking foreign visits on direct invitation and making public statements on policy issues at all levels.

Presiding over a meeting of the heads of civil armed forces on Monday, he emphasised that policy guidelines should be followed in letter and spirit.

Anti-Narcotics Force Director Gen Maj Gen Khawar Hanif, Punjab Rangers DG Maj Gen Omar Farooq, Balochistan Frontier Corps Inspector General Maj Gen Sher Afgun, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa FC IG Maj Gen M. Tayyab Azam, Sindh Rangers DG Maj Gen Bilal Akbar, Coast Guards DG Brig Shehzad Akhter, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts DG Brig Farooq Azam, the civil defence DG and senior officials of the interior ministry attended the meeting.

The minister called upon the civil armed forces to chalk out a comprehensive framework to meet challenges in ensuring internal and external security.

He underscored the need for greater coordination among the civil armed forces, intelligence agencies and security agencies to overcome the challenges faced by the country.

Chaudhry Nisar said he was aware of financial constraints faced by the civil armed forces and had always pleaded the case with the government. He said he considered expenditures on security an investment in a secure future.

“This year alone the government has allocated Rs30 billion for raising 28 wings of the civil armed forces,” he told the meeting.

He said the civil armed forces were playing a critical role and making valuable contributions by playing the dual role of maintaining internal security and assisting the armed forces in external security.

The minister paid tribute to the personnel of the civil armed forces who laid down their lives in the line of duty and said they were the real heroes of the nation.

Civil armed forces asked to meet challenges in ensuring internal and external security

“Pakistan is indebted to them for their immense sacrifices and we owe it to them to not only carry forward their legacy but also to respect their memories and take care of their kith and kin.”

The chiefs of the ANF, Sindh and Punjab Rangers, Coast Guards and Balochistan FC briefed the minister about the performance and issues faced by their organisations and also put forth their suggestions.

The Sindh Rangers DG said the force was effectively undertaking an operation against criminal elements in Karachi which had significantly brought down the crime rate.

The minister said it were the criminal elements versus the peaceful citizens in Karachi for which the operation had been launched and would continue till its logical conclusion.

The Balochistan FC inspector general said the situation in the province had significantly improved because of efforts of the Frontier Corps, including operations against criminal and anti-state elements, security of borders and important places and checking poppy cultivation.

The interior minister praised the performance of the civil armed forces and said it was heartening to note that the best officers were commanding them.

He expressed the hope that the leadership qualities of these officers would not only serve to promote and strengthen the role of their forces but would also help promote the national interests.

He advised the heads of the forces to keep the media updated about the achievements of their organisations.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2015

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