Summary Interior Minister says Iran has always helped Pakistan in the hour of need
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan addressed an important press conference on Saturday and discussed a number of issues, reported Dunya News.
Nisar stated that the recent visit of the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has been quite positive. He said that a press release was issued by the government regarding the Rouhani’s visit but a certain section of the media proliferated news on their own instead of sticking with the press release.
He added that a detailed meeting was held between him and Iranian Ambassador yesterday. He said that the Iranian Ambassador had reservations about the reporting that was done regarding the Iranian President’s recent visit to the country. “I replied to him that Pakistani media is independent” said Nisar.
Interior Minister said that Iran is not involved in any negative activities in Pakistan, instead the neighbouring country has supported Pakistan in the hour of need. He said that the Pakistani people have great affection towards the people of Iran thus giving an impression that Iran is against Pakistan is quite wrong.
He further added that the advice to mediate the affairs between Iran and Saudi Arabia was placed forward by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif.
While talking about the apprehended spy of the Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Nisar said that Kulbhushan Yadav’s case will meet its logical end.
He added that Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shehbaz Sharif did not need to conduct a secret meeting between General Raheel Sharif, stating that a routine meeting was held with the Army Chief in morning.
Referring to the Pervez Musharraf case, Nisar commented that the former dictator’s name was added in the Exit Control List (ECL) after the decision was made by the Supreme Court, adding that he will bring the documents related to the particular case before the nation on Monday.
He added that a few politicians, who did nothing while they assumed authority, are now criticising the government. He added that some analysts, who now criticise the present government, seem to be in a state of slumber for the recent five years.
Nisar said that it was believed that the government is showing a non-serious attitude towards the Musharraf case despite the ongoing cases against him in the courts, which include treason case, Akbar Bugti and Benazir murder cases.
He added that the government rejected Musharraf’s three appeals to go abroad and that the government was unable to make any move whilst the investigation by the court was ongoing. He said that he was amazed and confused at the remarks made by the Special Court.
He said that the government informed the court that if Musharraf went abroad, he will not return. He added that Musharraf would have gone abroad after 15 days even if the government appealed against the court’s decision. Nisar said that neither the Prosecutor nor the court asked to add Musharraf’s name in the ECL.
Nisar also discussed about the recent protests that took place in Islamabad. He said that the protestors peacefully asked for participation in Mumtaz Qadri’s chehlum but they broke the agreement made with the Punjab government. He said that investigation regarding administration-level mismanagement is underway.
Interior Minister said that a vast portion of the people who took part in the protests were innocent people. He added that every Muslim has unshakable faith in the dignity of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) but certain elements manipulated the innocent people in the protest for their own purposes.
Nisar stated that Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif instructed him that he would deal with all matter associated with the protest. He added that the sit-in was organised for Mumtaz Qadri but there is no mention of him in the agreement made. He said that politics was done by certain individuals under the veil of sit-in.
He stated that he gave instructions that no minister will be part of a news conference whilst standing next to the protestors. He said that the matters were being mutually dealy by Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Saad Rafique and him but the impression was made that the governmental officials are not on a common page.
