- Minister says enemy’s narrative has been perpetuated through news story on civil-military rift
- Says Dawn staff member Cyril Almeida’s name will be removed from ECL once inquiry is completed
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Thursday that the purpose of the news report appeared in daily Dawn highlighting rift between the government and military was to undermine the national security paradigm, adding that it was a very sensitive issue and it is about time the culprits will be laid bare.
Talking to media at the inauguration of Online Passport Renewal Service at the NADRA Headquarters, the minister said the journalist, Cyril Almeida, had booked a flight out of the country and thus he had no other choice but to put his name on the Exit Control List (ECL).
“We’ll investigate the matter thoroughly. There will be no coercion, no pressure. But there’ll be questions. It is not a problem for the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz or military. The entire Pakistan is questioning as the said reporter gave the enemy a chance to chargesheet us,” added Nisar, who was the chief guest at the ceremony held jointly by the NADRA and Directorate General of Immigration and Passports.
“The news report was inaccurate and the journalist himself said that the people involved had denied. It was published on the behest of someone, and that will be uncovered,” the minister said in reply to a question, adding, “The story perpetuates the narrative of our enemies. Indian media used this report to verify the Indian narrative of Pakistani dealings with non-state actors.”
“Whoever has leaked this news will be brought to justice. This I can guarantee. But how can that person be brought to justice, if we allow the journalist to leave the country,” the minister remarked.
Asked if the government had some other evidence on the matter, Nisar said, “We do have other evidence. If the journalist hadn’t booked a flight, we wouldn’t have put his name on the ECL.”
He also said that he would have a meeting with senior APNS and CPNE officials in the Capital regarding the matter in the coming days when questioned about Almeida’s inclusion in the ECL.
In reply to question about recent discovery of arms near Nine-Zero, formerly the MQM headquarters, Nisar said, “Altaf Hussain and his team have infatuation with arms and along with the money and documents found from his British residence there were shopping list of arms as well. We are pursuing the case and culprits will be brought to justice.”
About his meeting with British high commissioner, Nisar said he received some information about the developments in the money laundering case registered against MQM founder Altaf Hussain. “Investigation is underway on count of money laundering, murder and incitement to violence.”
The minister also highlighted the significance of prompt and speedy delivery of passports and laid emphasis on the provision of queue-less system to facilitate the people with the inauguration of Online Passport Renewal Service.