Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Monday dismissed rumours that the government was considering replacing the army chief, General Raheel Sharif.
“It is baseless speculation; we have complete trust in the incumbent top command of our military,” Nisar said while addressing reporters at the inauguration of an online system for the renewal of national identity cards at the headquarters of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
“We need an army chief like Gen Raheel Sharif to fight militants,” he said, adding that such ‘baseless rumours’ are being spread by ‘enemies’ of Pakistan.
The minister said speaking against the army was harmful to the country and the military. He said Pakistan Army is a disciplined and professional force and Gen Sharif is the most professional soldier and enjoys confidence of the entire nation. He urged media persons and the nation to stand by the army as we are in a state of war.
To another question, Interior Minister Nisar said a vehicle mistakenly came in the way of the prime minister’s convoy on Sunday evening and the person driving the car has been declared innocent after an investigation.
Earlier, the interior minister inaugurated an online system for the renewal of ID cards.
Nisar said the step has been taken in order to provide relief to people who will no longer have to form long queues outside NADRA centres.
“With a single click, one will be able to renew their identity cards on the computer and get updates on the status of their application through the new online system,” he said.
He also said that a DNA testing lab will be established under NADRA which will work towards facilitating the armed forces of the country.
Nisar also announced that the government plans to set up 13 international level business centres in the next seven months, which will work as a one-stop place for the issuance of identity cards and passports. “The information of birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates will be digitised and centralised to avoid issuance of fake documents,” he stressed.
Providing statistics, the interior minister said some 64,000 passport were blocked last year, adding the institution has fetched government Rs 5 billion.
Nisar reiterated that the government is making utmost efforts to ensure not a single incompetent and corrupt officer works at NADRA.