Summary Minister for Information Pervaiz Rashid said that nation was united on the issue of drone attacks.
ISLAMABAD (APP) - Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid said on Wednesday that the government had not changed its stance on the issue of drone attacks. He said Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz during his recent visit to the United States had also raised the issue with President Barack Obama.
Talking to reporters after the launching ceremony of projects/newsletter organized by the Forum of Pakistan Ombudsman, he said the nation was united on the issue of drone attacks and now the international community was also supporting its stance.
He expressed the confidence that the government would succeed in halting the drone strikes soon.
Replying to a question, the minister said the government was working on a plan to produce cheap electricity through coal and alternative resources and hoped that the power load-shedding would be overcome gradually.
Work is underway to complete 6600 MW coal power project in Gadani, which will help improve power supply situation, besides reducing its price for the people, he added.
Pervaiz Rashid said the present government had taken serious steps to tackle complex issues, which were ignored during the last five years. Efforts were being made way to ensure peace in Karachi, besides improving law and order situation in Balochistan, he added.
Answering another question, the minister said the Prime Minister had also raised the issue of Dr Aafya Siddiqui’s release during his US visit, which was taken up by the previous governments.
He said the government was making sincere efforts to revive the economy so as to give relief to the people.
Pervaiz Rashid said the government believed in freedom and protection of the citizens as no citizen had been abducted or had gone missing during the last five months.
He said the government would take all possible steps to save mega enterprises and national institutions and make them profitable.
The minister siad that the country’s foreign policy was not an individual issue but was chalked out by the government.
He said the Prime Minister had also raised the Kashmir issue in his address to the United Nations General Assembly. Pakistan’s stance on the Kashmir dispute is long-standing that it should be resolved according to the UN resolutions, he added.
Replying to a question regarding the threat of PTI leaders to block the NATO supply route if drone attacks continued, the minister said, “Political leaders do issue such statements.”
He said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had even failed to administer polio drops to children. The federal government is well aware of its responsibilities and performing its task in the best manner, he added.
The minister said the issue of Dr Shakeel Afridi was not discussed during the Prime Minister’s visit. Whatever was discussed, had already been appeared in the media.
Regrading trial of former President Pervez Musharraf under Article 6, he said a committee had been constiuted on the issue and a decision in this regard would be taken in the light of committee’s report.
