ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Interior, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Sunday said that he was witnessing it for the first time in his life that opposition parties were issuing show-cause notices to each other.
Talking to media persons after a ceremony here in which WHO country representative delivered vehicles to the MCI to strengthen its various health-related activities, the federal minister said that Prime Minister Imran Khan will benefit from the differences between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). He observed the PDM has already met demise. “The PPP and the PML-N are introducing a major shift in their politics and that will benefit Imran Khan and his government,” he added. He reiterated that the opposition parties were not a threat to the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Sheikh Rashid also rebuffed reports of Maryam Nawaz leaving the country and said that it is out of question that the government will allow her to go abroad. The government will not allow Maryam Nawaz to travel abroad, he made it clear. He told the media that Maryam Nawaz has not applied for removing her name from the ECL and added Imran Khan will never let Maryam leave the country.
Hinting at a crackdown against the hoarders on the cards, the interior minister said the prime minister himself would monitor prices of the essential commodities. Coming to Pak-India trade, Rashid said there is no question of trade with India unless it withdraws article 370-A. “There would be no dialogue with India under the circumstances. Without having Kashmir issue at the table, there can be no progress in Pak-India relations,” he made it clear.
World Health Organisation has provided logistic support to MCI to strengthen its various health-related activities including field surveillance and monitoring and evaluation. The occasion was graced by Minister Interior, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed. WHO Representative to Pakistan Dr Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala and Administrator MCI Syeda Shafaq Hashmi were also present on the occasion. The gift includes 20 Suzuki 125 motorbikes for outreach immunisation services, one Isuzu four-door pickup for surveillance of dengue, Covid-19 and polio cases and two ambulances for prompt response in health-related emergencies. Furthermore, health service messages are being placed with the help of the WHO at strategic points along the major avenues of Islamabad for public awareness on Covid-19 and other communicable disease prevention. Minister of Interior thanked WHO representative to Pakistan for providing the logistic support and appreciated the efforts of Health Services Directorate in responding to all health emergencies. He further directed Administrator MCI to bring the ambulance service in Islamabad at par with best standards. WHO Country head gave details of the logistics provided to the MCI and vowed to continue the collaboration in future as well. DG, ICT/ Administrator MCI, Syeda Shafaq Hashmi, while giving the message of Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Amer Ali Ahmed appreciated WHO’s vital support in developing a comprehensive healthcare programme for the citizens of Islamabad and expressed resolve to continue improving all healthcare services across the city.