Ahsan asks Qadri to appear for court hearings in cases against him

• Planning minister urges the need to become an economy focused nation

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior, and Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal has warned Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri on Tuesday to appear for his court cases’ hearings otherwise he would brand action against him as “revenge”.

Speaking to media in the federal capital, Ahsan demanded from the PAT chief to meet his legal requirements in court cases, otherwise, the law would take its course and he would not like it.

Interior minister’s warning has come when PAT chief addressed a joint press conference with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, who announced to participate in all parties conference led by Dr Qadri on Model Town massacre.

PAT chief had announced earlier this month to launch protests against ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over Model Town massacre. He has also called an all parties conference on December 28 to bring political parties on the same page over Model Town tragedy, which was, however, pushed to December 30.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan announced on Tuesday to participate in the conference while Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) chief Mustafa Kamal has agreed as well.

Separately, Ahsan Iqbal also stressed the need to become an economy focused, rather than a political nation, to further boost the country’s economic development.

“The political crisis during current year has dented the country’s rapidly growing economic journey, therefore we need to divert our attention from political issues to economic development,” he said while talking to media after launching PC-1 automation system here.

Replying to a question, Ahsan said that due to some court decisions, a political turmoil like situation erupted in the country due to which the economic journey of the country stopped and the country’s stock exchange had to face a huge loss of over Rs16 billion in market capitalisation.

He said that bringing the country’s economic situation out of the crisis was one of the biggest achievements of the current government.

Earlier, the ministry of planning launched PC-1 automation under which all information regarding any PC-1 will be available at fingertips. There are numerous reports available in the application that will enable users to classify the number of projects approved, rejected, and conditionally approved.

The application will be able to track any PC-1 on different stages, such as pending projects in the technical section, rejected in CDWP meeting, and presented projects in CDWP meeting. Furthermore, the application will reduce the number of printed copies submitted to Planning Commission.

The application will also provide accuracy in daily office work and will provide more reliable information.