MQM lawmaker tables motion against Passport DG

A lawmaker of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Tuesday tabled a privilege motion against the passport director general in the National Assembly.
During the budget session, Khawaja Sohail Mansoor protested against Passport DG Zulfiqar Cheema. While tabling the motion, the lawmaker said the passport office officials were misbehaving with people seeking their passports. He said complaints had already been registered against the unethical, unfriendly and insulting treatment of officials.
The MNA said he visited the passport office seeking details of a relative’s case on Monday. “However, rather giving me the details, Passports DG Zulfiqar Cheema insulted him without asking the reason for his visit and ousted him from his office.”
“I tried to question the reason for his ill-mannered treatment but he did not give any logic other than murmuring foolish things,” said Mansoor.
He mentioned that when the top officials of the office were treating a lawmaker in such an indecent and insulting manner what would be their attitude towards general public.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan refused to oppose the privilege motion when Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq asked him.
The minister mentioned that no government official would be permitted to treat any member of the House in indecent way.
He said further every lawmaker, regardless of his political affiliation, was honourable.
The speaker referred the case to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee for Rules of Procedures and Privileges.
The minister assured the House that the issue would not go unaddressed and the complete investigation would be made by the committee.
He also assured the House the ministry would also probe the issue and investigation report would be presented soon.