ISLAMABAD, 25 September 2005 — In the wake of London bombings, the Pakistan government has provided to United Kingdom the details of those Pakistani expatriates who traveled from the United States and Britain to Pakistan during the last five years, sources said.
The record of Pakistani expatriates or dual nationality holders containing the data of their entry, exit and stay in Pakistan has been provided to London through diplomatic channels, sources said.
The Interior Ministry sources also confirmed that Pakistan would compile and hand over to London the complete record of expatriates who would travel to the country in future.
The sources said that the move is aimed at cooperating with the UK government in netting the culprits involved in July 7 London blasts. The government handed over this data on the request of the UK government, the sources maintained.
On the other side, Pakistani embassies and high commissions in European countries and United States have started collecting information of those Pakistani expatriates or dual nationality holders who have been involved in any sort of crime. It was also learned the respective governments have also provided the full data of those involved in any crime to the Pakistani missions.
The governments of these countries have assured that decision of cases filed against the expatriates would be taken on the basis of information received by the Pakistani government.
The ministry also deputed immigration officials in Frankfurt, London, Madrid, New York, California and Paris for issuing the Machine Readable Passports (MRPs).
The decision was taken to remove the chances of mistakes in issuance of MRPs and NICOP or Pakistan Origin Cards to stop terrorist elements entry into Pakistan, sources said.
The government has been working on a comprehensive plan to cut short its diplomatic staff belonging to Foreign Office by replacing the interior ministry officials working in the Immigration and Passport Directorate. Those diplomatic staff are being called back, who are dealing with issuance of MRPs, visas and other travel documents to Pakistani expatriates or other foreign visitors abroad.
In the first phase, some officials from the Immigration Directorate were sent to UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Sources said that such plan would be implemented in all Pakistani missions with the passage of time.
