NA panel flags security lapses, defers multiple key bills

The Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control of the National Assembly of Pakistan met on Monday under the chairmanship of Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz, MNA, to review pending legislation, security concerns, and development projects linked to the Ministry of Interior

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Feb, 2026) The Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control of the National Assembly of Pakistan met on Monday under the chairmanship of Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz, MNA, to review pending legislation, security concerns, and development projects linked to the Ministry of Interior.

The Committee confirmed minutes of its earlier meetings held on 27 January and 10 February 2026 and expressed satisfaction over compliance with previous recommendations. However, members voiced concerns about restrictive security arrangements in Islamabad’s Red Zone, noting that the movement of parliamentarians was being hindered.

Responding to the concerns, Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control Talal Chaudhry clarified that security decisions pertaining to the Parliament House and Parliament Lodges were taken under the directions of the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan. Members also highlighted the outdated surveillance system and reported presence of unidentified individuals inside Parliament Lodges. The Committee directed the Minister of State to ensure the attendance of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) chairman in future meetings.

The Committee deferred consideration of several legislative items, including the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2025, directing that it be referred to the Council of Common Interests (CCI). The Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introduced by Khawaja Izhar Ul Hassan, was also deferred. The Committee delayed discussion on the Islamabad Capital Territory food Fortification Bill, 2025 due to the absence of its mover, Shaista Pervaiz.

Further deliberations on the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, moved by Shazia Marri, were postponed with instructions to the Interior Ministry to gather relevant data from provincial departments and the ICT administration.

A related bill by Dr. Sharmila Faruqi faced similar deferral due to the mover’s absence. The Committee also discussed “The Guardians and Wards (Amendment) Bill, 2025,” introduced by Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, directing the Additional Draftsman of the Ministry of Law and Justice to coordinate with the mover for further refinement.

The Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control presented a detailed briefing, joined by its attached departments. The Frontier Corps Balochistan reported that previously approved projects, including the FC Hospital, remained pending. The Committee emphasized improved facilities for Zaireen at border points and urged the inclusion of such projects in the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).

On ICT and CDA-related projects, members criticized delays caused by slow quarterly fund releases and underutilization of development allocations. Ministry officials reported 97% PSDP utilization last year and projected similar performance for the current fiscal year.

The Committee was also briefed on rehabilitation initiatives for minors affected by drug abuse. Officials noted that while health remained a provincial issue, Islamabad’s 45-bed rehabilitation facility was being expanded to 100 beds despite resource challenges.

An urgent road-widening project from Atomic Energy Gate No. 1 to Gate No. 3 in Islamabad was flagged for inclusion in the PSDP to prevent future encroachment.

The meeting was attended by MNAs Malik Shakir Bashir Awan, Syed Rafiullah, Sardar Nabeel Ahmed Gabol, Abdul Qadir Patel (via video link), Rana Ansar, Muhammad Ijaz-ul-Haq, and others, along with senior officers of the Interior Ministry, Law Ministry, ICT administration, and the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports.