Better late than never. The powers that be have done well to make it mandatory on Afghan nationals to get NOC from DM Islamabad if they want to reside in the federal capital. They had it coming because of their involvement in local politics but the better alternative would have been issuance of a comprehensive visa regimen like the one operative in Britain and US for foreigners desirous of visiting those two countries. It has been observed that more often than not the Afghan nationals spread themselves throughout the length and breadth of this country once they cross the Durand line so a system needs to be evolved under which the police should satisfy itself that they have returned to Afghanistan on the expiry of their visa.
Needless to say that they have been instrumental in the spread of narcotics as well as prohibited bore weaponry in this country and what is more dangerous is their involvement in local politics. A recent example is their armed presence in the Lashkar of a political party which tried to ransack Islamabad the other day. Some political parties of this country nurse a soft corner for them in their heart and in return they vote for these political parties overwhelmingly at the hustings.
