Answering a question from ‘The News’ after addressing a conference of investors here, the premier said that all the institutions, including the media and security institutions, had a vital role to play. “We all have to join hands to move forward. Be it the media or Pakistan’s armed forces, the government or the security institutions, we all will have to work together. Pakistan is surrounded by crises and we have tried to put it back on track since coming to power,” he said.
The prime minister was asked about the Jang and Geo appeal to him and the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani. It was feared that justice, fairplay and impartiality could not be expected from a dysfunctional and weak body like Pemra and that the allegations levelled by the Ministry of Defence were so defamatory, scandalous and serious that an independent Supreme Court Commission should be formed to inquire into these allegations.
The premier said that the Judicial Commission was set up by the Supreme Court of Pakistan on his request to look into various aspects of the attack on senior anchor Hamid Mir. “A commission comprising three judges has been formed; let the commission complete its work to find out the facts.”
Nawaz Sharif appealed to all sides to focus their efforts on Pakistan’s betterment. He said that Pakistan’s industry had halted but now it was running two to three shifts and production was increasing.“I believe that we have to resolve these matters. We should make matters easy and resolve issues amicably. Pakistan is at such a stage where it faces many difficulties,” the premier said.
He said that it was due to his economic policies that Pakistan would get more than $30 billion of investment in the next a few years. “This is unprecedented investment, mainly from Chinese and also Pakistani investors. This will boost Pakistan’s energy sector. Pakistan will become a corridor for investment and growth in the region. We have to understand that almost 3 billion people live in this region. There is so much we can gain and our nation can benefit through our policies,” he said adding that the future of the world lay in this region.
He stressed: “We should not entangle ourselves in these issues. We shall not be distracted.”Speaking to ‘The News’, senior Foreign Office Minister Baroness Sayeeda Warsi said that Britain believed in the freedom of speech and held these values in high esteem. She said that Pakistan faced tough circumstances and it was important that all the institutions should work together to find a way out. “I want to take this opportunity to say that our thoughts and prayers are with Hamid Mir. He is a respected journalist. The whole world is waiting for his recovery and we fully support freedom of press.”
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, while speaking to ‘The News’, said that Pakistan’s independent media had asserted itself through sacrifices and a long struggle for its rights. He said that freedom of independent media could not be questioned because it had been obtained through a lot of sacrifices. But, Shahbaz Sharif urged all media channels to adhere to journalistic principles and always present all sides of the story. “It should not be one sided. I am talking about all media. It is important that moderation is adopted in current circumstances.”
Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik said that his party’s position was very clear on the current standoff. “We are for freedom of speech. We have worked to get this much freedom for media. I am completely in favour of media freedom. Our policy is crystal clear about it. We will not support anyone who suppresses freedom of speech.
Balochistan chief minister added: “Pakistan faces tough circumstances. It is the responsibility of media and all other institutions to work together to make Pakistan a progressive society.”APP/INP add: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif appreciated UK strong support for grant of GSP Plus status to Pakistan by the European Union (EU) and continued development assistance provided through Department for International Development (DFID) particularly in health and education sectors.
The Prime Minister was talking to British Foreign Secretary William Hague who called on him here. He is currently in London on an official visit to review and further strengthen the strategic relations between the two countries.
Speaking about his government’s priorities, the prime minister said his government was committed to enhancing the welfare and security of its people by reviving the economy, overcoming energy shortage, eradicating extremism and promoting human rights and good governance.
Secretary Hague appreciated the economic reforms agenda of the government and offered UK’s assistance and cooperation in its implementation. He also offered support to Pakistan in meeting its obligations under the GSP Plus regime.
The post election situation in Afghanistan including security environment in the post 2014 withdrawal scenario was also discussed.Secretary Hague welcomed the Pakistan government’s efforts to establish cordial and cooperative relations with India.
Meanwhile, British Defence Secretary Philip Hammond called on Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in London and discussed at length the existing level of defence and security cooperation between Pakistan and the UK.
The prime minister appreciated UK’s offer of assistance in the areas of training and capacity building of Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies especially in the field of countering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Prime Minister hoped that this relationship could be further strengthened and taken to a higher level where both the sides could undertake joint defence production ventures.
It was agreed that defence and security cooperation between the two countries had assumed increased significance in view of the forthcoming withdrawal of Nato forces from Afghanistan later this year. The two sides expressed satisfaction with the bilateral cooperation under the framework of Enhanced Strategic Dialogue (ESD) and hoped that the targets set under the framework would be achieved within the given timeframe. Both the sides also agreed that the Defence Equipment Cooperation MoU signed in 2005 needed to be renewed and revitalised under the Defence Cooperation Forum.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and acting High Commissioner Muhammad Imran Mirza also attended the meeting.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif lauded the British government’s ongoing cooperation and assistance to Pakistan in spheres of security and counter terrorism.
The prime minister said this while talking to British Home Secretary Theresa May who called on him. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fight extremism and militancy and pointed out the unprecedented sacrifices rendered by the country in terms of human lives and economic losses. He updated Secretary May on the National Internal Security Policy (NISP) and the dialogue process with the Taliban.
The prime minister shared his government’s plans to improve the working of counter terrorism organisations at the federal level and creation of similar organisations at the provincial level. He also underlined the need for enhanced cooperation between the two countries in all spheres. The Home Secretary said the British government recognised Pakistan’s commitment and sacrifices in the global war on terror. She said the United Kingdom would extend all possible help to strengthen Pakistan’s capacity in dealing with extremism and terrorism.Both sides expressed their resolve to continue benefiting from each other’s expertise in relevant areas.
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