TANDO MUHAMMAD KHAN - Federal Minister for Defence Syed Naveed Qamar said there will be no compromise on country’s sovereignty and the territorial frontiers will be defended at all costs.
He was talking to journalists at the reception given by PPP leader Waheeda Shah at Bukhari House on Sunday.
He said as a responsible state, Pakistan will continue to uphold and promote the cause of regional peace and stability. However, in doing so we shall ensure that our legitimate interests are not only recognised but fully accommodated. The minister emphasised that these fundamental points of principle need to be understood by our international partners. He reiterated that Pakistan as a peace-loving country remains committed to regional peace and stability particularly in Afghanistan.
As a country which suffered from terrorism, elimination of terrorism and militancy remains high priority for the people and government of Pakistan. He said Pakistan in all earnest extended hand of friendship to the people and government of Afghanistan. He insisted on the intelligence sharing to the US government to unveil the elements involved in the terrorism. He said Islamabad has been working on the lines to devise a combined strategy to counter terrorism in the region.
Commenting on the SPLGO-2012, Naveed said that all the stakeholders were consulted before the signing of the ordinance, so there should be no any objection over the bill. Despite, the government will soon call All Parties Conference to resolve the matter.
On the other hand, the PPP is reportedly in confusion over selection of candidates for the slot of district nazim after the notification of SPLGO 2012. There are reports of serious conflicts between Federal Minister for Defence Syed Naveed Qamar and PPP District President TM Khan Haji Amin Lakho over the nomination of party candidates. The PPP has another obstacle in the shape of the Mir Group which has recently joined the PML-F.
To resolve the differences, CM Syed Qaim Ali Shah and MNA Faryal Talpur had also held detailed meetings, but of no avail.
Insiders said the decision of the party’s provincial coordination committee on the appeals would be communicated to the local leadership very soon.
When contacted, Lakho was of the view that late Benazir Bhutto had nominated him for the slot of district nazim in a meeting in London in which Naveed Qamar was also present. So, the party must respect the decision of its martyred leader.
He also appealed PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to contest the upcoming general election from NA-222 constituency.
On the other hand, Defence Minister Naveed Qamar wants to see his son Qasim Naveed Qamar as a candidate for the slot, and some of the party leaders are supporting him in this regard.
Supporters and opponents of Lakho and Syed Naveed Qamar had held press conferences against each other which led to more crises within the party.
Addressing a press conference, supporter of Syed Naveed Qamar, former taluka Nazim Syed Irshad Hussain Shah had accused Lakho of extortion and selling jobs. He alleged that Mr Lakho had created rifts in the party for his vested interests. He demanded the Sindh CM to dismiss the district leadership and appoint new office-bearers.