- State minister says democracy gaining strength, country moving towards political stability
ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that Pakistan, from now on, would be run in conformity with the will of the masses and as a consequence of the political maturity shown by the different parties in resolving the delimitation issue general elections would be held on time.
Talking to media on the eve of the rugby match between Pakistan and Italy here on Saturday, she said that the development would have silenced those who were demanding pre-mature polls in the country. She said that the country was fast moving towards political stability and democracy was gaining strength with every passing day.
She observed that the federal and provincial governments, and law enforcing agencies had played a very significant role in establishing peace in the country with an unfaltering determination and commitment. Referring to the state of the economy, she said that Senator Ishaq Dar had made commendable efforts the finance minister in the revival of the economy in line with the vision of former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
She said that the economy of the country was far stronger and stable than in 2013. She quashed rumours about resignation by Ishaq Dar, saying he had not resigned so far and it was up to the prime minister to accept or reject it. In response to a question regarding desertions from the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), she said a big number of PTI members did not agree with the brand of politics practiced by the party.
She said that it appeared that more and more of the PTI leaders would leave it in the coming days. She said that anybody daring to speak the truth would be expelled from the PTI because how could a person, who himself was a great liar, tolerate those who told the truth. She said that Imran was reaping now what he had sowed earlier.
Marriyum said that the government was used to sit-ins which were a gift from Imran Khan. In regard to the sit-in at Faizabad, she observed that the government wanted an amicable solution to the stalemate. To a question on freedom of expression, she said that it must be enjoyed with utmost sense of responsibility.
To another question, the state minister reiterated that ensuring the ascendency of law and constitution in the country was the vision of former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. She said that the nation had grappled with the scourge of terrorism for 35 years and the government was continuing its efforts to restore complete peace in the country.
REVIVAL OF COMPETITIONS: Marriyum while addressing the ceremony at the end of the Rugby League match between Pakistan and Italy said that the government was striving hard to promote sports in the country and along with cricket fields the grounds for other sports were also witnessing the revival of international competitions.
She said that the international cricket, football and rugby matches were being held in Pakistan and the federal and provincial governments were providing fool-proof security to the foreign players. She said that as far as sports were concerned the youth of the country were highly talented.
The state minister said that the Pakistan Cricket Board deserved congratulations for reviving international cricket in the country. She commended efforts of the organisers of sports events and also thanked the students of the colleges and universities, who had come to watch the rugby match.
The Italian ambassador, players of both the teams, office-bearers of the Rugby Leagues of the two countries and a large number of people were present on the occasion. Italy defeated Pakistan by 32-22. The state minister also distributed prized among the players at the end of the match.
