— Says terrorists involved in killing Baloch people including doctors, lawyers
— Vows not to spare any effort to make Pakistan hub of development, progress
LAHORE: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Monday said that the issue of Baloch protesting families was projected negatively against ground realities as Baloch people were standing with the state of Pakistan.
Responding to media queries during Business Facilitation Center here, the prime minister said that terrorists and armed militants had been involved in the killing of people of Balochistan including doctors, lawyers and teachers.
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar reassured that the state would fight with them with all force as they could not be given license to kill people.
Referring to criticism by a section of media, he said that they were not fighting with the Baloch families and regretted that efforts were made to spread confusion and meddle things together.
The issue of families of Balochs had been blown out of proportion, the PM said adding that these terrorists had been taking money and funding from RAW and killing people in the province.
He said that about 90,000 people had been killed in the fight against terrorism but hardly any nine accused had been convicted so far. The prime minister opined that the criminal justice system in the country required improvement.
To a question, he mentioned that there was no restriction on freedom of expression. Replying to another question regarding an alleged firing incident over vehicles of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Dera Ismail Khan, he said that it was alarming, adding that the government was responding to security threats in the southern parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with all the available resources.
The caretaker prime minister said that all the resources and security apparatus would be utilized to ensure holding of peaceful polls on the election date and expressed the hope that they would be successful in this regard.
PM Kakar vows not to spare any effort to make Pakistan hub of development, progress
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Monday reiterated that no effort would be spared to make Pakistan a hub of development and prosperity in the new year.
In a message to the nation on start of year 2024, the PM said the new year holds key importance for the country in its determination to achieve the goals of peace and a strong economy.
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar urged the demonstration of unity among the ranks of the nation to attain success in every field of life. He paid tribute to the martyrs of the country who sacrificed their lives for the homeland.
He felicitated the nation on the occasion, however mentioned that the government had banned the celebrations of the new year in solidarity with the people of Palestine. He also pointed out that 2023 was a year marked by the violence and aggression of the Israeli authorities against the innocent people of Gaza.
PM Kakar hoped that the international community would play a role in ensuring peace in Palestine and ending the genocide committed by the Israeli authorities. He expressed a desire that the new year see progress for the people of Kashmir in attaining their right to self-determination.
PM Kakar directs enhancement of Afghan Transit Trade tracking system
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Monday directed for taking of further steps at enhancement and foolproof tracking system concerning Afghan Transit Trade. Chairing a review meeting over Afghan Transit Trade and anti-smuggling measures, he also asked for the formulation of an immediate mechanism for the establishment of an integrated transit trade management system.
The meeting was attended by Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akthar, Caretaker Minister for Trade Ejaz Gohar, senior officials of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, representatives of the sensitive departments and other relevant officials, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
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Addressing the participants, the prime minister said that one of the major reasons affecting the country’s economy was smuggling and the illegal movement of goods. Taking notice of negligence over the smuggling issue, he directed the chief secretary Balochistan to completely change the administrative machinery of District Chaghi. He directed for initiation of criminal proceedings against any personnel found involved in smuggling leading to exemplary punishment besides, advising intelligence clearance of any officer before his or her deployment on sensitive posts of customs.
The caretaker prime minister further directed that checking system should be further strengthened at the Chaman, Torkham, Ghulam Khan check posts besides, at the border areas of Balochistan. Cargo checking should be improved and the number of customs staff at Chaman border be increased, he added. He opined that the people in Balochistan province should work for the enhancement of businesses and employment. A briefing over a progress report compiled by an inquiry committee on Afghan Transit Trade was also given to the prime minister.
Appreciating the performance of the committee so far, he directed it to earnestly compile its recommendations. The meeting was informed that due to the steps of the government, the smuggling of petroleum products from Iran had been reduced to a huge extent whereas cargo tracking system started functioning from Taftan to Quetta.
