ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Monday asserted that the security provided to the New Zealand cricket team outnumbered their forces, adding that it was the government’s “responsibility” to do so.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the minister said it was rich of the opposition to blame the government. “Don’t throw stones at Sheikh Rashid of the Ministry of Interior while living in a glass house,” he added.
“New Zealand don’t have as many people in their forces as the number we provided for their security,” he added. Rashid said that other teams had visited Pakistan in the past without any issues.
He also called on the nation to not be disappointed, stating that the day will come when international teams will want to play in Pakistan. The minister also asked “Five Eyes” alliance” where were the security experts when the New Zealand team was practising here for three days.
He reiterated that Pakistan’s security forces were among the world’s strongest agencies, saying there was no threat alert that prompted the Kiwis to abandon the tour at the last minute.
‘Lal Masjid’
Commenting on the Lal Masjid issue, the Interior Minister said that the government resolved issues with Maulana Abdul Aziz through dialogue, as it wanted the situation in the capital to remain normal.
He further said there were several cases against Maulana Aziz but the government wanted the situation in the capital to remain normal. “That’s why we keep talking to them,” he said, adding that Maulana Aziz had an issue every other day.
“There were 511 madrassahs and 1,000 mosques in the capital. Out of 511, we have issues with only one which we resolve through dialogue,” he regretted.
The minister’s statement comes days after police registered a case against Maulana Aziz, his collaborators, as well as seminary students under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and different sections of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) after flags representing the Afghan Taliban, were found hoisted on the rooftop of Jamia Hafsa in G-7/3.
‘Chehlum procession’
The Interior Minister announced that cellular services across Pakistan will remain suspended on Chehlum [September 27, 2021].
He said the government has decided to deploy civil armed forces in provinces, according to their requirement, for the security of the Chehlum processions. In big cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Islamabad, security on the procession routes will be tightened.
‘Refugee camps in Pakistan’
Sheikh Rashid reiterated that Pakistan’s borders were peaceful, adding “we have no refugee camp”. He recalled that the prime minister also expressed his intent during his Tajikistan visit to speak to the Taliban for forming an inclusive government in Afghanistan.
The minister called out India and others for hatching propaganda against Pakistan over “their failures in Afghanistan”. “India wants to blame us for its failures in Afghanistan but we just want better relations with the rest of the world,” he added.
