Daily Times

Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed Wednesday rejected all rumors being bandied about the presidential form of government or imposition of emergency in the country.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the minister said neither there was any possibility of imposition of emergency nor was there any move going on for tabling a no-confidence motion and any possibility of long march.

He said despite the opposition’s tall claims, the government passed all important bills from National Assembly and Senate during the last three and half years.

Commenting on medical reports of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, Rashid said Nawaz Sharif wanted to stay abroad on fake medical reports and he utilized fake medical reports for going abroad. Regarding the long march of Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDM), the minister termed the opposition ineffective and politically dysfunctional.

Sheikh said on his special invitation, Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif would visit Pakistan next week. The Saudi interior minister would meet President Dr Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, key government and security officials during his visit. Pak-Saudi relations were higher than Himalayas, he added.

He said PM was going on an important visit to China from February 3-6. The PM visit would be a historical one, he added.

He said China Pakistan Economic Corridor and other important issues would come under discussion during the PM’s visit to China.

About performance of the ministry, he said 87 new Nadra offices were set up last year in the country. Out of total 87, 23 were set up in Punjab, 11 in Sindh, 18 in KP, 13 each in Balochistan and AJK. As many as 13 new passport offices would be set up abroad during the current year, he added.

The minister said the government wanted to open 13 new passport offices in Sindh and areas were being located for them. However, he said they were waiting for the Sindh government’s response in this regard.

Sheikh said he had already directed chairman Nadra and officials of passport section to visit Sindh and finalize areas for setting up the said offices and centres.

Regarding law and order, the minister said all the four chief secretaries and IGPs were directed to remain alert and prepare an effective strategy to control any untoward situation.

Responding to a question, he said no negotiations were being carried out with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He also said all their demands were unacceptable.

To another question, Sheikh said he had issued directives to adopt rotation policy for transfer and posting in Nadra and FIA. To a separate question, he said Pakistan was not going to IMF for first time, as it had already availed itself of 23 loan packages before.