Latest news with #MukhtarAhmadMalik
Express Tribune
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
MPs slam 'mismanagement' of lodges
During the National Assembly's Question Hour on Wednesday, members from various political parties expressed strong concerns over ongoing issues related to the Parliament Lodges and called for urgent corrective measures. In response to a question from Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam, Parliamentary Secretary Mukhtar Ahmad Malik clarified that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) does not handle the allocation of budget or allotment of lodges. He explained that the CDA's role is limited to utilising the budget as directed by the Parliament's House and Library Committee. Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah admitted that CDA's performance in managing the lodges has been inadequate, citing the suspension of a director and deputy director due to mismanagement. He revealed that a meeting in the Planning Division is ongoing, and tenders will be issued once approval is granted. Currently, 51 MNAs are without official accommodation. PPP leader Syed Naveed Qamar proposed outsourcing the management of lodges to private firms, arguing that quality could improve under such arrangements while remaining within the current budget. This matter is under discussion in the Standing Committee on Finance. MNA Noor Alam Khan raised concerns about the misuse of resources, noting that while MNAs pay rent and utility bills on time, employees at the lodges are receiving unnecessary perks. He also criticised the underutilisation of nearly 200 CDA staff, stating that only a few workers are available when needed. Furthermore, he highlighted that the gym at the Parliament Lodges is often used by non-members rather than elected officials. MNA Syed Waseem suggested that room allotments should be merit-based and proposed reallocating lodges from ministers who have moved to the Ministers' Colony to accommodate MNAs in need. Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry emphasized the seriousness of the issue, pointing out that complaints about the lodges are frequent. He called for the completion of a construction project that has been pending since 2008 to address the space shortage. He also stressed that management inefficiencies, such as inadequate janitorial services and maintenance issues, remain persistent. He urged that the CDA's performance can only improve with proper funding.
Express Tribune
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
1.3 million Afghans repatriated since November, NA told
Afghan nationals wait beside their belongings at the Torkham border's transit point as Pakistan steps up its deportation of undocumented migrants, sending over 2,239 Afghans back across the frontier. PHOTO: ONLINE/ File Listen to article The government has repatriated approximately 1.3 million Afghan refugees in a deportation drive launched since November 2023, Parliamentary Secretary Mukhtar Ahmad Malik said on Wednesday, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported. The government initially said it was first focusing on expelling foreigners with no legal documentation and other categories, such as Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) — a document launched in 2017 to grant temporary legal status to Afghan refugees — would be included later. Responding to a question raised by lawmaker Anjum Aqeel Khan during a parliamentary session, Malik said around 3 million Afghan refugees were residing in Pakistan. 'Of these, 813,000 hold Afghan Citizen Cards (ECC) while 1.3 million possess Proof of Registration (PoR) cards,' he was quoted as saying. He highlighted that Afghan nationals who wish to enter Pakistan for medical treatment, education, or business purposes are welcome to do so provided they obtain a Pakistani visa and carry valid documentation with them. Earlier this year, the country's interior ministry asked all 'illegal foreigners' and ACC holders to leave the country before March 31, warning that they would otherwise be deported from April 1. Authorities subsequently started deporting thousands of Afghan nationals from all parts of the country. In total, Pakistan has hosted over 2.8 million Afghan refugees who crossed the border during 40 years of conflict in their homeland.
Arab News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistani official says 1.3 million Afghans repatriated since November 2023
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities have repatriated approximately 1.3 million Afghan refugees in a deportation drive launched since November 2023, Parliamentary Secretary Mukhtar Ahmad Malik said on Wednesday, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported. Pakistan launched a repatriation drive of foreign citizens that began in November 2023, with thousands of Afghan nationals expelled since. The government initially said it was first focusing on expelling foreigners with no legal documentation and other categories, such as Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) — a document launched in 2017 to grant temporary legal status to Afghan refugees — would be included later. Earlier this year, the country's interior ministry asked all 'illegal foreigners' and ACC holders to leave the country before Mar. 31, warning that they would otherwise be deported from April 1. Authorities subsequently started deporting thousands of Afghan nationals from all parts of the country. 'Parliamentary Secretary Mukhtar Ahmad Malik informed the National Assembly on Wednesday that approximately 1.3 million Afghan refugees have been repatriated from Pakistan so far,' APP reported. Responding to a question raised by lawmaker Anjum Aqeel Khan during a parliamentary session, Malik said around 3 million Afghan refugees were residing in Pakistan. 'Of these, 813,000 hold Afghan Citizen Cards (ECC) while 1.3 million possess Proof of Registration (PoR) cards,' he was quoted as saying. He emphasized that Afghan nationals who wish to enter Pakistan for medical treatment, education, or business purposes are welcome to do so provided they obtain a Pakistani visa and carry valid documentation with them. In total, Pakistan has hosted over 2.8 million Afghan refugees who crossed the border during 40 years of conflict in their homeland. The deportation drive was launched in November 2023 after Islamabad witnessed a surge in suicide attacks and militancy that it blamed on Afghan nationals, without providing evidence. Local and international rights organizations have accused Pakistani authorities of harassing Afghan nationals while forcefully repatriating them. The same has been accused by the Afghan Taliban, who have called on Islamabad to allow its nationals to return to their homeland with dignity. Islamabad denies the harassment allegations and says it is ensuring Afghan nationals are deported with dignity.
