-Says restoration of special status of J&K is a prerequisite for the dialogue
-Forecasts that Pakistan to exit from FATF grey list
-Predicts Hafeez Sheikh will win Senate election
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed on Sunday said that Pakistan wanted better ties with India, but no talks with New Delhi were possible by ignoring the decades-old Kashmir issue.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad yesterday, Sheikh Rasheed termed dialogues with India without Kashmir issue betrayal with the nation. He said the revival of Article 370 and 35-A of the Indian constitution to restore the special status of Jammu and Kashmir is a prerequisite for the dialogue between Pakistan and India.
Responding to a question, the interior minister claimed that Pakistan has successfully complied with 24 out of 27 points of the FATF action plan. He maintained that the country will complete the action plan soon and will come out of the FATF grey list.
Lashing out at the past rulers, the interior minister said that the plunderers had brought the country to the verge of economic disaster. He maintained that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government put the country on the path of economic stability and progress.
Earlier on February 11, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) meeting had discussed the situation of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir and reiterated that Pakistan will continue to provide all-out diplomatic, moral and political support to the brave people of Kashmir in their indigenous struggle to get justice and their right to self-determination in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Replying to another question, he predicted that Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh will win the upcoming Senate election. After winning the Senate elections, he (Hafeez Sheikh) would be in better position to contribute productively in the prosperity of the country.
He said Yusuf Raza Gilani tried to protect corruption of Asif Ali Zardari and was disqualified. Gilani, he said, gave the necklace donated by Turkey’s first lady in 2010 for flood victims to his wife which was later returned after the issue was highlighted.
Sheikh Rashid termed the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Sri Lanka as `historic’ and said that Imran Khan offered role for improving the ties between China and United States.
He said the civil military relations were exemplary and precedent had been set for better understanding between both of them in future to put the country on right track of development.
He said Pakistan under the leadership of Imran Khan was enjoying good relations with United States, China, Russian, Saudi Arabia and other Arab world. Peace in Afghanistan was very much crucial and Pakistan always wished stability there, he added.
The Minister for Interior said Pakistan got a significant position among the comity of nations as naval exercise of around 40 countries have been conducted here.
He said successful discussion with India would only be possible when India restore Jammu and Kashmir’s status and include it on the agenda of talks. Setting aside the Kashmir issue would be disloyalty, he added.
Regarding the political development in the country during last couple of days, he said, release of Hamza Shehbaz did not matter and MQM would also stand with Imran Khan because it was the party of qualified persons.
“I consider Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf and Hafeez Sheikh would win under the leadership of Imran Khan,” the minister added.
He said there would be no hurdle for Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) for its planned march in case no law and order situation had been created.
The minister said Armed Forces and People of Pakistan had rendered great sacrifices for the country and no one would be allowed to undermine it.
Recalling the successful operation by Pakistan Air Force on February 27, 2019, he said our great force achieved victory and foiled the nefarious designs of India on that day.
To a question, the minister said those involved in the murders of a religious scholar and seminary students in Bhara Kau would be apprehended soon.
He directed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad to ensure the arrest of perpetrator of this heinous crime within 24 hours.
The minister said Supreme Court’s decision regarding Senate elections would be exemplary. He said adjustment on Punjab seats in Senate was made as per proportionate of parties’ seats in the Punjab legislature and nothing unusual would happen in other provinces and Islamabad.
Sheikh Rashid said that patrolling system of Islamabad police was being revamped and Eagle Squads comprising of vehicles and motorbikes would start functioning soon.
He said Rs. 30 million has been released which would be helpful in improving policing affairs.
The minister said 370 gardens in federal capital were being beautified, adding that he was conducting visit of each garden. Citizens might have their `Iftar dinner’ at these gardens during Ramazan, he maintained. The minister said on-line visa facility had been introduced and passport fee had also been reduced as people might get passport with the validity of 10 years after paying Rs. 4,500. He also warned Federal Investigation Agency to improve performance and said that black sheep in the department would not be spared.
