Calling the news of Pakistan demanding the eviction of US troops from Shamsi Airbase fabricated and a creation of the media, Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan categorically rejected claims made by Minister for Defence Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar over the issue.
Speaking during the Meet the Press programme of the Lahore Press Club on Friday, she said the issue of vacation of Shamsi Air base and the American refusal to comply with the Pakistani demand was merely a creation of the media. The minister said in case of any development, the matter would have to be placed before the Defence Cabinet Committee (DCC) and as she was a member of the DCC, the issue would ultimately come to her knowledge.
To a question about the Balochistan situation, she said the army, Frontier Constabulary and other security agencies were implementing the government’s policy there. Asked about the government’s policy on drone attacks, the minister said the judicial commission constituted for investigating the Abbottabad incident would determine the priorities to stop drone attacks and the government’s future strategy would be devised on the basis of its recommendations.
She said although parliament’s resolution regarding drone attacks did exist, the government was waiting for recommendations of the commission. Firdous said those sitting on opposition benches today could be in the government tomorrow, but public support was a must for that to happen. “The AJK polls’ result has disappointed those who pinned their hopes on mid-term election,” she said, adding that the historic victory of the PPP had brushed aside the rumours of mid-term polls.
Accusing the Punjab government of rigging polls on AJK seats in the province, she said it was a show of “state terrorism”. She said the PPP had always opposed confrontation and believed in the politics of reconciliation, adding that the Kashmiris had also reposed their confidence in the Pakistan People’s Party. Citing PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif’s criticism of the AJK election, Firdous said his recent statements could harm the Kashmir cause.
She said politicians criticising the Pakistan Army on AJK soil were in fact ignoring national sovereignty and interests. To a question about increase in natural gas tariff, she said that gas prices for fertilizer producing factories had been capped for past 12 years and the government had now withdrawn subsidies on fertilizer plants.
