ISLAMABAD: The Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb said that ensuring national security and safeguarding national interests was the responsibility of the state.
Talking to the media outside the Accountability Court and Punjab House here Tuesday, she said that to preserve national interest, a sacrifice had to be offered and consequently the law minister resigned in the larger interest of the nation.
She said that the people of Rawalpindi & Islamabad heaved a sigh of relief over the ending of the sit-in which had ended chaos and anarchy that prevailed in the country during the last two days. She added that the country could not afford such circumstances and all of them would have to move forward collectively so that the country never faces similar circumstances again.
She also urged the media to play its role in that regard.
Responding to a question, Marriyum said that during the last two days, the country was faced with a deplorable situation which was very difficult to deal with. She added that it was the time to look ahead and stop looking back because it could take the country back by decades, which the future generations could not afford to inherit.
The minister said that the party which was obstructing the passage of the electoral bill was not being fair to Pakistan and the posterity. She reiterated that the delay in the elections would not be in the interest of the country and all the political parties had to play their due role in ensuring timely passage of the bill.
She further said that the National Assembly had approved the amendment bill and the Senate was meeting in the second week of December. Therefore, she added that it was incumbent upon all the political parties to deliberate on the issue.
She also expressed hope that the elections would be held on time in 2018.
Marriyum pointed out that everyone knew the circumstances of the country when the former prime minister assumed power in 2013, and also where the country stood when he was disqualified in 2017. She said that it was a developing, shining and rising Pakistan where peace was fast returning and the curse of terrorism had been checked in its tracks.
In regards to the deliberations of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) consultative meeting, she said that the forum discussed the circumstances that prevailed in the country during the last two days and other important issues. The minister added that the former prime minister appeared before the NAB court in spite of the false allegations against him.
She went on to say that the Nawaz Sharif had made a pledge to the people to uphold the sanctity of law and the Constitution. She further stated that the public rallies of the PML -N would be held according to the given schedule and the participation of the Nawaz in the public meeting at Quetta was very much on the cards.
She said that Nawaz’s wife was sick and under treatment in London and he had to visit her frequently to be by her side. She added said that it was a very difficult situation for him, adding that he would go to London when he felt like going.
Marriyum lamented that whenever Nawaz Sharif left for London, an impression was given that he would not return, which was very unreasonable. She also confirmed the meeting between the former prime minister and Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.
