THE government’s decision to issue CNICs and passports to Afghans and Bengalis who were born in Pakistan seems a hasty decision. It should examine the pros and cons of this decision before its implementation.

All Afghans and Bengalis living in Pakistan should be registered in the first phase and their complete data should be kept on Nadra’s record. Their activities should be monitored and those who have criminal record must be deported to their country of origin with their families.

It must be kept in mind that a majority of Afghans and to some extent Bengalis too are reportedly involved in subversive/criminal activities. Millions of Afghans and Bengalis in Pakistan, particularly in Karachi, are a burden on our economy.

Hasan Afzaal

Karachi

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PRIME Minister Imran Khan’s decision to grant citizenship to longtime residents and Pakistani-born Bengalis and Afghanis is a decision by a visionary statesman who seeks glory for Pakistan.

Bengalis should have been given Pakistani nationality by the then President Zulfikar Bhutto when East Pakistan was separated and Bangladesh was created. This would have healed many wounds.

If a nation has to survive and wants to be called a welfare state, then it has to address the suffering of all its citizens.

Moin Uddin Qureshi

Lahore

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2018