ISLAMABAD – Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said Saturday that on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) would be celebrated in a grand manner across the country with religious fervor and respect.
While talking to reporters after inaugurating tree plantation campaign here in connection with Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) celebrations, he said that all arrangements had been finalised for holding the functions on the auspicious occasion of Eid Milad on 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal including at Convention Center where the Prime Minister would address.
He added various events were planned in twin cities as Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) processions and rallies would be arranged in Rawalpindi and Islamabad besides number of other activities to celebrate the day.
Sheikh Rashid said, “Things were moving in the right direction and there was no question on political stability. Country’s enemies will fail to fulfill their wishes.” He said that the present government will complete its tenure and democratic and security institutions will get further strength during the tenure of this government.
He said that the issue of inflation was connected with the changing international economic situation as no one in the government wants inflation in the country. He added the trend of increasing prices of petroleum, edible oil, wheat and other edible items in the international markets had repercussions.
He said that the long-lasting peace in Afghanistan was a prerequisite for stability in the region and the international world. He said that peace in Afghanistan was a must for peace in Pakistan and that Pakistan wants peace and stability in Afghanistan.
He said that the things were changing in the region and Pakistan being a responsible state would fulfill its responsibility of national security while meeting international expectations as a major country in the region with the objective to strengthen peace in Afghanistan.
He added international world knows that Pakistan is a responsible country in the region. “We want peace in Afghanistan and are ready to support on humanitarian grounds.”
He said that the international community should support the Afghanistan on humanitarian grounds.
Talking about development projects in Rawalpindi, the minister said that Chief Minister of Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar had inaugurated third university in the city while work on Ring Road will begin soon.
He said that three universities had been established in Rawalpindi while several educational institutions had been setup in poor areas of the city.
He said that the present government had finalized the Nallah Lai project as the inaugural ceremony of the project will be held on December 25. He added Mother and Child hospital project will also be started before December 25.
Sheikh Rashid also reiterated that all matters between civil and military leadership about appointment of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director-general (DG) have been settled and the issue would be resolved within a week. “All things (about appointment of DG ISI) are settled now. I have already said that the matter will be resolved till next Friday,” he said while talking to reporters after inaugurating the tree plantation campaign in Islamabad in connection with Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) celebrations.
The interior minister referring to Pakistan Army said that some people always used to make failed attempts to make controversial “Pakistan’s sensitive institution” whenever they find an opportunity. He said that those people were bound to fail as they were not well-wishers of the country’s institutions and could not see that democratic regime of Prime Minister Imran Khan should flourish.
A day earlier, the minister while talking to a private TV channel had said that civil and military leadership of the country had amicably resolved the issue of appointment of new ISI chief and the appointment “will take place before next Friday”.
He had ruled out any differences between the civil and military leadership saying that both sides were satisfied over what they had decided.
Sheikh Rashid had also refuted the earlier statement of Chief Whip of ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the National Assembly Amir Dogar that PM Khan wanted to retain Lieutenant General Faiz Hamid as DG ISI for few months more due to the critical situation in neighbouring Afghanistan.
On October 6, the military media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had announced that Lieutenant General Nadeem Ahmed Anjum has been appointed as the new DG ISI while his predecessor Lt Gen Hamid has been posted as Peshawar Corps Commander. But Prime Minister’s Office did not issue the notification confirming Lt Gen Anjum’s appointment that led to widespread speculations on the national and social media that perhaps civil and military leadership were not on the same page about this appointment.