Daily Times

MANDI BAHAUDDIN: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Tuesday that the government was determined to eradicate terrorism and make defence of the country strong.

Addressing recruits of Rangers at their passing out parade, he said that the terrorists were under siege and we would not rest until ending terrorism.

He congratulated the new recruits on completing their basic training and induction in Punjab Rangers.

He said that the National Action Plan was an important component in fight against extremism.

“We have to stay determined and keep focus on the three guiding principles of unity, faith and discipline of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. We will have to keep an eye on our weaknesses and have to be proud of our successes,” he said. The minister said Pakistan Rangers was playing an effective role in defence of Pakistan.

“We can foil every conspiracy with national solidarity, power of faith and discipline,” he said.

Ahsan said that martyred Captain Hasnain went beyond the call of duty and set a glorious example for others. “We have to keep afloat the green flag of Pakistan and let nobody undermine integrity of Pakistan.”

He said that protection of the borders of the country was a guarantee for salvation in this world and the hereafter.

He told the Rangers that they were fortunate that Allah had given them the opportunity to fulfill the duty of defence of the country. “Those who spend sleepless nights at borders for the defence of the motherland are favourites of Allah.”

The minister said that in the last four years, the government had defeated terrorism, ended energy shortage and stabilised the economy. “Now we have to make Pakistan an Asian Tiger,” he said. He said that peace and stability was imperative for the progress in Pakistan. “The projects of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will be a cause of prosperity and progress in the country and the region,” he said. The minister said that the evil eyes of the enemy were on CPEC projects. These elements will not succeed in their designs, he said.

Published in Daily Times, October 18^th 2017.