Pakistan can defeat external threats to CPEC with unity

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Monday said that no hurdle in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will be tolerated and the whole nation stands united on the CPEC.

Addressing a press conference, he said that our relations with China are higher than the Himalayas.

“Any hurdle in the CPEC will not be accepted,” he said, adding that the whole nation is standing united on the CPEC like the Kashmir issue.

He said that the subversive activities of India, NDS, and Israel against national security of Pakistan demand unity in the nation.

To a question regarding probe of Dasu bus tragedy, he said that investigation into Dasu bus incident have completed and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi will brief the media in this regard. He said that the opposition is unaware of changing situation of the region.

Rasheed said that the passport of former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo had been expired on February 16 and he has two options either to file an appeal or seek political asylum.

Sharif needs to come back to the country, he said, adding that a person who lives and dies in his own country is called a leader but unfortunately, Nawaz Sharif when came to power talk tall and run away when is no more in power.

He said that the PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif has not filed an application seeking for removal of his name from the Exit Control List (ECL). Without naming PML-N’s Ataullah Tarar, he said a person has made a statement that the PML-N workers will besiege the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)’s office if Shehbaz Sharif was arrested. He further commented in this country nothing happened when former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was hanged.

You are not a bigger leader than Bhutto, he added.

Responding to a question about the Afghan ambassador’s daughter’s issue, he said the Kabul’s investigation team went back and we have provided all footages and record to them through foreign office.

Pakistan, China reaffirm commitment to advance CPEC

To a question about Pakistan-Afghanistan border fencing, he said that 90 to 96 percent work of fencing of the Pak-Afghan border has been completed. The federal cabinet has allowed the Ministry of Interior to issue arm license. Under the cabinet decision, minister can authorise prohibited bore and secretary non-prohibited bore, he said. He said that 2,000 more police men would be inducted in the city police.

He said that I have directed CDA chairman to install 190 cameras in the city on an immediate basis. He said that strict action will be taken against those who were involved in curtailing size of Nullah (stream) in Sector E-11.

The minister said that a new certificate of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) will be introduced for registration of booster shot of approved Covid-19 vaccines in Gulf countries with seven days.