ID :
175476
Thu, 04/14/2011 - 16:49
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http://m.oananews.org//node/175476
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Rahman Malik announces powers for PCG under immigration and customs laws, raising four more battalions
Karachi, April 14, 2011 (PPI): Federal Interior Minister Rahman Malik Thursday announced doubling the strength of Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG) by raising its number of battalions from four to eight and delegating powers under immigration and customs laws to combat illegal human trafficking and narcotic trade along 960km coastal belt of country.
He also announced that a proposal is under active consideration to further empower this paramilitary force to fight against terrorism in the coastal areas.
“The Pakistan Coast Guards would be provided with all the required funds and modern equipment to combat the threats to country’s security and economy,” he said while addressing the passing out parade of Batch 34 of new recruits at Pakistan Coast Guards Training Center Korangi Creek. In all 326 recruits including 83 from Balochistan completed training and participated in the parade.
Malik said the funds would be earmarked in next budget for purchasing aircrafts and helicopters for the PCG and modern boats for its marine wing.
Talking about women empowerment, Interior Minister said he wants to see women performing national duty in PCG like Pak Army, Air Force, Rangers etc. and announced five percent job quota for women in PCG.
Malik further announced Rs.1 million for creating a fund for the martyrs of PCG and added that he will talk to the government for allocating more funds to this end. He also announced provision of medical facilities for the PCG personnel wherever they are posted and a hospital in Karachi.
Announcing incentives for the PCG personnel posted in remote areas, Rahman Malik said an especial allowance would be paid to them like being paid to military personnel. Moreover, he announced doubling the quota for sending the PCG personnel for UN Peace Keeping Missions abroad.
Elaborating the purpose of delegating powers to PCG under immigration and customs laws, Interior Minister said annually a large number of people are migrating illegally from Pakistan and also the foreign nationals use the different land and sea routes of Pakistan for this purpose. Besides, 5 billion dollar worth narcotic trade is being done through these routes, so there was a dire need of delegating powers to PCG. Currently, a task force of PCG, Customs and FIA is performing these duties and the PCG have no powers to keep any accused in lockup for more than 24 hours, but now the PCG will have all these powers, he added.
Rahman Malik also talked about different security threats and role of PCG in safeguarding the national frontiers. Without naming any organization, however indicating towards militants in Balochistan, he said they must know that their Sardars have left the Afghanistan too as we also use other means to safeguard the interests of country.
Later, talking to media, he said on a question about fresh wave of target killings in Karachi, Interior Minister said all the killings that took place on Wednesday were not targeted and added that some the accused were last night arrested. “I was in touch with DG, Rangers and IGP who told me in the night that some arrests have been made,” he said adding that IGP would announce about it.
Earlier, Director General, PCG, Brig. Sheharyar Khan in his welcome address said especial relaxation was allowed in educational qualification and physical fitness requirements for the youths from Balochistan under the policy of government.
He also highlighted the performance of PCG with regard to seizing narcotics, arresting the smugglers and combating human trafficking and told that so far 1252 persons were nabbed while crossing over the border through different routes.
The passing out recruits presented salute to the chief guest while the soldiers of Quick Reaction Force demonstrated self-defense tactics with and without weapons and especially for combating street criminals.
The chief guest presented DG Sword to recruit Muhammad Kashif for clinching first position, DG Cane to recruit Javed Bawar for securing second position and gold medal to third position holder recruit Muhammad Naved.
He also announced that a proposal is under active consideration to further empower this paramilitary force to fight against terrorism in the coastal areas.
“The Pakistan Coast Guards would be provided with all the required funds and modern equipment to combat the threats to country’s security and economy,” he said while addressing the passing out parade of Batch 34 of new recruits at Pakistan Coast Guards Training Center Korangi Creek. In all 326 recruits including 83 from Balochistan completed training and participated in the parade.
Malik said the funds would be earmarked in next budget for purchasing aircrafts and helicopters for the PCG and modern boats for its marine wing.
Talking about women empowerment, Interior Minister said he wants to see women performing national duty in PCG like Pak Army, Air Force, Rangers etc. and announced five percent job quota for women in PCG.
Malik further announced Rs.1 million for creating a fund for the martyrs of PCG and added that he will talk to the government for allocating more funds to this end. He also announced provision of medical facilities for the PCG personnel wherever they are posted and a hospital in Karachi.
Announcing incentives for the PCG personnel posted in remote areas, Rahman Malik said an especial allowance would be paid to them like being paid to military personnel. Moreover, he announced doubling the quota for sending the PCG personnel for UN Peace Keeping Missions abroad.
Elaborating the purpose of delegating powers to PCG under immigration and customs laws, Interior Minister said annually a large number of people are migrating illegally from Pakistan and also the foreign nationals use the different land and sea routes of Pakistan for this purpose. Besides, 5 billion dollar worth narcotic trade is being done through these routes, so there was a dire need of delegating powers to PCG. Currently, a task force of PCG, Customs and FIA is performing these duties and the PCG have no powers to keep any accused in lockup for more than 24 hours, but now the PCG will have all these powers, he added.
Rahman Malik also talked about different security threats and role of PCG in safeguarding the national frontiers. Without naming any organization, however indicating towards militants in Balochistan, he said they must know that their Sardars have left the Afghanistan too as we also use other means to safeguard the interests of country.
Later, talking to media, he said on a question about fresh wave of target killings in Karachi, Interior Minister said all the killings that took place on Wednesday were not targeted and added that some the accused were last night arrested. “I was in touch with DG, Rangers and IGP who told me in the night that some arrests have been made,” he said adding that IGP would announce about it.
Earlier, Director General, PCG, Brig. Sheharyar Khan in his welcome address said especial relaxation was allowed in educational qualification and physical fitness requirements for the youths from Balochistan under the policy of government.
He also highlighted the performance of PCG with regard to seizing narcotics, arresting the smugglers and combating human trafficking and told that so far 1252 persons were nabbed while crossing over the border through different routes.
The passing out recruits presented salute to the chief guest while the soldiers of Quick Reaction Force demonstrated self-defense tactics with and without weapons and especially for combating street criminals.
The chief guest presented DG Sword to recruit Muhammad Kashif for clinching first position, DG Cane to recruit Javed Bawar for securing second position and gold medal to third position holder recruit Muhammad Naved.
