ISLAMABAD, 21 May 2008 — Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has asked the Pakistani ambassador in Nigeria to appear before the Senate Standing Committee on Narcotics Control and to record his statement in connection with issue of visas to African nationals, mostly Nigerians, who were later found involved in drug trafficking.
The minister, who appeared before the committee, which was examining the issue on Monday, assured the Senate that he staunchly believed in the sovereignty of Parliament and his ministry would extend full cooperation to the committee in investigating the matter.
However, Qureshi urged the media to be careful and circumspect in reporting such sensitive issues.
He also said all documents relating to the case would be provided to the committee and no attempt would be made to cover up the case.
Earlier, Sen. Muhammad Enver Baig, said it was surprising that the Pakistan mission in Nigeria did not care whether applicants fulfilled visa requirements or not. In most cases, he said, the applicants were not asked to furnish relevant documents such as bank statement, letters from chambers of commerce and industry, the nature of their business etc while their visa applications were processed. Even addresses provided in a number of applications turned out to be false.
“It appears that these were stamped whimsically and without taking into consideration the standard procedure being followed the world over for grant of business visas. Consequently, our reputation was tarnished,” Baig said.
The members of the committee demanded that the visa issuance procedure be reviewed and standard operating procedures followed strictly. While they made it clear that the country or for that matter the senate committee had nothing against the people of African origin, there should not be any letup at airports or elsewhere which may tarnish the country’s reputation.
The committee members also called for immediate deportation of all those convicted in drug related matters, once they have completed their sentences. “They should not be allowed to stay back in Pakistan and continue to spoil the future of our youth,” one senators said.
Sen.. Kulsoom Parveen, the chairperson of the committee, said: “The future of our young generation is at stake and the proliferation and use of drugs is a crime against humanity.”
