LAHORE - Rejecting allegations of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has made it clear that Pakistan would not recognise Israel.
“There is no question of recognising Israel,” he said while addressing a press conference here Saturday. Sheikh Rashid also refuted the allegation of softening stance on finality of prophethood and selling Kashmir to arch rival India. Counting government’s measures to internationalise the Kashmir issue, he accused Maulana Fazlur Rehman of using Israel, Khatam-e-Nabuwat and Kashmir issues for petty political gains.
Welcoming Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s statement, he said that no-confidence move is the only way through which a PM could be sent home.
“Bilawal Bhutto has shown maturity. Public gatherings and rallies will make no difference,” he said. He said that Justice (r) Sheikh Azmat Saeed would not be replaced as head of the committee formed to probe Broadsheet issue. He said that no one was aware about the consequences of probe into Broadsheet issue.
He said that the government would reply in the same coin if the opposition committed any act of mischief or resorted to violence.
Responding to a question, the minister said PML-N’s Khawaja Asif could have disclosed in a better manner that Shehbaz Sharif paid US $ 750,000 to NAB (National Accountability Bureau) and had also taken this amount back from it through Supreme Court. Similarly, other properties worth US $ 85 million to US $ 100 million were being unearthed and whoever committed the corruption, he/she must be taken to task, he maintained.
No question of recognising Israel
Sheikh Rashid said that opposition was doing politics on foreign funding and Prime Minister Imran Khan had offered an open trial of it, ‘as today is the era of camera politics (media) and camera now-a-days tells who was involved or not.’
Federal Interior Minister said that government decided to allow a peaceful long march/procession to PDM, whether they before or after the Senate election, adding that the law would take its course if the opposition parties took the law into their hands.
To a question, he said that, “none of government’s ally was going to step back and Insha Allah and PTI would secure an extra seat from Punjab in the Senate election “, asserting, “It is greatness of Imran Khan, who is offering a secret voting.”
To another question, he said that a committee on Broadsheet case was being constituted and whoever was involved in it would be held accountable, citing that opposition recently staged a protest demonstration against PTI’s alleged foreign funding in front of Election Commission of Pakistan but they themselves need to be scrutinised as the law assessed the matters in totality.
To a query, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and NADRA (National Database Registration Authority) were being reformed and strengthened, saying it would take some time to complete the tasks. He also appreciated the services rendered by Pakistan Rangers and Coastal Guards.
Action against religious hate literature
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noor-ul-Haq Qadri and Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar decided in a meeting on Saturday to launch a crackdown on those involved in publishing and distribution of religious hate literature.
They discussed matters of mutual interest, political affairs and law & order situation. The meeting also discussed promotion of religious harmony and it was agreed that every step would be taken for further improving law and order and security situation.
The meeting decided an across-the-board action against provocative speeches also. Effective coordination would be made between federal and provincial governments for further improving law and order, they decided. The interior minister said his ministry would provide support to the Punjab government regarding law and order situation improvement. He said the nation had rejected those who preferred personal interests on national interest.
Pir Noor-ul-Haq said there was a need to promote tolerance and patience as the country needed unity at this time. Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said that every possible step would be taken for protection of life and property of people, besides ensuring supremacy of the law. No one would be allowed to take the law into their hands as implementation of the law would be ensured. Criticising the elements who were promoting hate, he resolved that every attempt to divide the nation would be foiled.