Ijaz Kakakhel Islamabad
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Monday told Upper House of parliament that neither terrorism will be allowed in the country nor any compromise be made on the solidarity of the country.
Responding to a motion in the Senate, the interior minister said the government was ready to talk to any person within the ambit of the Constitution and law. He, however, made it clear that no talks with anyone are taking place at the moment.
Sheikh Rashid asked the opposition to reschedule their protest march from March 23 to March 27 citing threat of terrorism and Coronavirus. He said that half of Islamabad would be under someone else’s control on March 23 and jammers would also be installed.
Keeping in view the recent incidents of terrorism, upcoming meeting of the OIC, and surge in Covid cases, the minister urged the opposition to reschedule their protest march from 23rd of March to any other appropriate date. He said there will be a very high profile movement on the Pakistan Day, including parade of the armed forces and OIC Foreign Ministers meeting, and the opposition should reschedule its protest march. However, he also made it clear that the government has no fear from opposition long march or any protest demonstration.
The Interior Minister said Indian RAW has hired Pakistani people to carryout terrorist activities in Pakistan and the government is aware of it and is taking appropriate steps in this regard. Sheaikh Rashid expressed his pleasure that today both the government as well as opposition senators were united against terrorism in any form and vowed that the government is committed to root out the menace of terrorism. The minister also assured the House that the govt will continue work on CPEC and also to further cement relations with China, which he called friendly relation.
The minister said that the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan would be given befitting response if they want to clash with Pakistan, adding that no talks are being held with the TTP now. The Afghan Taliban has said that our land will not be used against Pakistan. “Indian doesn’t want Pakistan to have better relations with Taliban and Iran but New Delhi suffered a major defeat in Afghanistan,” he said and added Muslims are being beheaded in Maharashtra, UP and Uttar Pradesh.
Earlier, a large numbers of opposition senators spoke over deteriorating law and order situation in the country.
The House passed two resolutions. The first resolution recommended that on the analogy of the pilot project of construction of one kilometre of plastic road in Islamabad, the Federal Government should take steps to construct plastic roads under the domain of National Highways throughout the country.
The second resolution urged upon the government to grant two years age relaxation in all Federal Government and Public Sector jobs in view of the Covid-19 situation and lockdowns throughout the country during the last two years.
The House will now meet again on Tuesday at 11am.
