Pakistan to Establish Homeland Security Department

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Pakistan will set up a special homeland security cell/directorate that will clear the visa applications of foreigners on the pattern of the US Department of Homeland Security.

According to Daily Times, sources within the Interior Ministry said that the cell or directorate would be established at the Interior Ministry, that would decide which foreigners to issue visas.

The members would be posted in the foreign missions of Pakistan as well, who will send all visa applications to the suggested cell of homeland security, minimizing the role of the Foreign Ministry in this regard. This means that the officers of the foreign missions will no longer issue visas directly.

The decision was made over the backdrop of the arrest of an American citizen. Matthew Barrett, a US citizen that married a Pakistani woman had been issued a visa. His passport expired, so he got a new passport and travelled to Pakistan, but was caught by the FIA.

Now all foreigners would be cleared by the Interior Ministry before issuing visas.

The government is also considering legislation through parliament.