Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi on Monday vowed to eliminate all mafias from passport offices in the country, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Addressing a presser at the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) office in Lahore, he said he was a human, and not a genie, who would put the house in order in a jiffy. “Slowly and steadily the government will eliminate all mafias,” he added.
Naqvi informed that so far 102 FIRs had been registered against the power distribution companies’ employees for overbilling so far, while consumers had been refunded 310 million electricity units. “Certainly, this is a big relief for the masses,” he added.
He said no complaint of overbilling was received in April. “The SE Sheikhupura was arrested for charging extra units from consumers,” the minister said.
He informed that eight more counters had been set up at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport for the passengers going overseas. “Similarly, we also plan to increase the number of counters at Sialkot Airport.”
Naqvi said the government was taking steps to fast-track immigration in the country.
Asserting that wheat was purchased as per the quota, he said he and members of his team had nothing to do with the scandal. “Some people tried their best to find something against me. But they failed,” the minister said, adding, “Let me tell you that the dreams of those who wish to initiate an inquiry against me will never be fulfilled.”
“I am ready to defend myself even 10 years after this scandal,” he said emphatically.
Naqvi went on to say that the personnel of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Police and CTD had given lots of sacrifices in the war against terrorism.
“Very soon you will see improvements in the working of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) since it has got a new head,” he expressed the hope.
The minister said that the PPP was the government’s ally.
He made it clear that the government did not want to burden the masses without any cogent reason.
He said he looked up to Defence Minister Khawaja Asif as his elder brother, adding together he and Asif were working for the betterment of the country. “Rana Sanaullah is a good friend of mine. If he has spoken against me in a fit of anger, then I have no issues with him.”
Speaking about the national cricket team, Naqvi said that each member of the team was to be given $0.1 million not from somebody’s pocket, but from the PCB’s kitty.