ISLAMABAD - Considering the Olympic passport and visa scandal as a malicious propaganda against Pakistan, the federal cabinet has decided to take legal action against British tabloid The Sun.
The newspaper had claimed to have uncovered a visa scam that could have allowed potential terrorists into the Olympic Village. The Sun said it had busted a racket involving a politician in Lahore that could have given access to the London Games as part of the Pakistani contingent in return for one million rupees ($10,000).
“The federal cabinet taking strict notice has asked the Nadra (national database registration authority) to sue the British newspaper with the consultation of the law ministry,” said Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira addressing a press conference after the federal cabinet meeting.
He also took a swipe at the paper, Britain’s biggest-selling daily, saying it ‘does not have a good reputation’. “Dirty propaganda was unleashed against Pakistan,” Kaira maintained. Responding to questions about the arrest of Nadra employees, he said this issue would be probed thoroughly to know the facts.
Sharing details about the allegation levelled by British newspaper, Nadra Chairman Tariq Malik said they have investigated the case and it was revealed that all the allegations were wrong. “Nadra management has a zero-tolerance policy towards any kind of breach of security and is fully committed to safeguarding the national database,” he added.
Earlier, the federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, also approved the MoU between Pakistan and US for the transit of US cargo to and from Afghanistan through Pakistani territory. “Now no verbal agreement would be carried out, as strictly following the parliament guideline MoU will be in black and white,” said Kaira responding a question.
The cabinet also approved the proposal of petroleum ministry to start formal negotiations with the Indian side for trade in petroleum products and import of Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) from India. When asked about purchase of gas from India, Kaira said that cabinet has given permission to petroleum ministry to conduct a feasibility study.
Discussing the overall law and order situation in Balochistan, the cabinet formed a special committee on Balochistan which would report back within a week. The defence minister will head this committee while ministers of law‚ information, interior‚ science and technology and postal services will be its members.
The cabinet also approved the MoU between Pakistan and Russia for expansion of Pakistan Steel Mills’ production capacity up to 3 mega tonnes per year. The signing of agreement on training of Kazakhstan troops in Pakistan was also approved while a go-ahead was given to start negotiations with the POSTDAM Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Germany.
To a question, Kaira said that the reply in the NRO implementation case had been filed in the SC registrar office but it was returned with some objections. The attorney general has requested Justice Khosa to not to sit in the bench for the proceeding of the case, he added. Responding to a question about formation of caretaker setup, the minister said a decision about it would be taken at appropriate time. He said that government would definitely contact all political forces on this issue, but made it clear that elections would be held next year.
Earlier, the prime minister briefed the cabinet about his recent visits to Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan. He said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy excellent relations rooted in common faith, traditions and values. He mentioned that there were 1.5 million Pakistanis residing in Saudi Arabia who are contributing to national economy. He also expressed gratitude for grant of $100 million announced by King Abdullah for the welfare of Pakistani people.
Regarding his visit to Afghanistan, the prime minister said that in his meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, peace in the region and improvement of relations between the neighbouring countries were discussed. He said that the trilateral summit in Kabul, also participated by British Prime Minister David Cameron, highlighted Pakistan’s significant role in the region in view of Afghan-led peace process.
He informed that a long overdue demand of Pakistan business community regarding issuance of multiple visas has been accepted by the Afghan government. This will facilitate the visit of Pakistani businessmen to Afghanistan and enhance trade relations between the two countries, he added.