If others don’t let executive work, performance won’t improve: Ahsan

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Monday that the Faizabad operation was launched without the ownership of the political leadership.

The interior minister said the executive must be given time to execute its responsibilities. “When others do not give time to the executive, how would the performance improve?” He added that though the matter is now over, it should be reviewed how to compensate the losses incurred during the sit-in and protest.

Ahsan Iqbal said certain political and religious parties politicised the issue regarding the law, which led to the protest at the Faizabad Interchange creating problems for the government. He further said that the law which became the focal point of the sit-in was passed after consultations with all the political parties and they should have backed Zahid Hamid.

Iqbal also said that the sit-in by members of the religious party has left a number of questions for the nation, adding that people were incited during the sit-in to commit acts of violence and arson.

Talking to private news channels, the interior minister said that some forces were working to halt the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. “CPEC is a gift for Pakistan and some forces are working against it,” he said.

On the Faizabad sit-in, he said that it had created a bad image of the country. Discouraging protests and sit-ins in the federal capital should be turned into a strong policy, he said. The footage showing attacks on the houses is shameful, he said. Ahsan Iqbal said that a group of rioters led by a local leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf also attacked his house in Narowal.

To a question, the minister said that a meeting chaired by the prime minister was held in which the military leadership was also present. In the meeting, a collective decision was taken regarding the sit-in at the Faizabad Interchange. He said that it is the responsibility of the religious parties to show the true picture of Islam which teaches love, tolerance and harmony.

Commenting on the remarks of former Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Ahsan Iqbal said, “Chaudhry Nisar may say whatever he wants. However, I should demonstrate magnanimity.”

The minister said that some forces were thinking that the government will be toppled as a result of these sit-ins; however, no such thing happened. “I am thankful that all the matters have been taken care of,” he added.