Islamabad (Pakistan News Online) Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has strongly criticised Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), saying the party has crossed a line with its remarks about the state and will receive a response. Addressing the Senate, he said there was little room left to maintain the same level of respect for Maulana Fazlur Rehman following remarks that he described as an insult to the state.
Naqvi said the state could not be treated as a source of benefits only when it served certain political interests. He alleged that some people considered the state a mother only as long as they continued to receive benefits, adding that government jobs, financial assistance and political tickets would not be provided to those who crossed the limits.
Speaking in the Senate, the interior minister said Maulana Fazlur Rehman had been criticising him for several weeks. He explained that he had travelled in connection with efforts to address the Iran-related dispute on the prime minister’s instructions and did not undertake such visits out of personal preference.
Rejecting claims that an agreement had been reached in Iran, Naqvi said the suggestion was incorrect. He also accused JUI-F of using religion for political and financial gains, alleging that the party invoked religious and political considerations when it benefited from them.
The minister warned that the government would respond whenever its limits were crossed. He further claimed that JUI-F leaders had previously asked the government to impose governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that Barrister Ali Zafar could be consulted regarding the matter.
Naqvi reiterated that the state would not provide money or political tickets to those who, in his view, crossed the line. His remarks came amid an ongoing exchange of criticism between him and Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
Green passport rating expected to improve within six months
Separately, addressing a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior, Naqvi said Pakistan’s green passport rating was expected to improve over the next six months, while decisions regarding the blue passport would rest with the House.
He said Pakistan was pursuing visa-related agreements with several countries to facilitate travel for its citizens. According to the minister, agreements concerning the blue passport with Kenya, Switzerland and Italy were in the pipeline, while negotiations aimed at resolving visa-free entry arrangements with 25 countries were expected to make progress within six months.
Naqvi said arrangements for visa-free entry had been secured with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, adding that a similar facility with Qatar was expected soon.
Government reviews blue passport policy
The interior minister said approximately 70,000 blue passports were in circulation. He explained that some countries were reluctant to enter into or maintain agreements if the number of blue passports exceeded 25,000 to 30,000, as governments first assessed the total number of such passports before considering visa-related arrangements.
He said visa-free entry could not be secured for all 70,000 blue passport holders under the existing arrangements. The government had cancelled 22,000 blue passports, he added, while restrictions had currently been imposed on their issuance.
Naqvi said serving members of the National Assembly would be issued blue passports in accordance with their respective terms in office.
He added that the government was moving towards an e-passport system to eliminate misuse and fraudulent practices in the passport issuance process.
The minister’s remarks highlighted the government’s stated priorities of responding to political criticism of the state, improving Pakistan’s passport standing and reforming the blue passport issuance system to strengthen transparency and facilitate international travel.